Tag Archives: investigation

BLACK LUNG INVESTIGATION

Black lung disease is the common name for coal workers pneumoconiosis (CWP).  It once was a disease that affected coal miners over the age of 50;  however, investigations show that younger mine workers are developing the disease as well.  The name was given because inhalation of heavy deposits of coal dust makes miner lungs look black instead of a healthy pink.  Since the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, average dust levels have fallen.  The 1969 law also set up a black lung disability benefits program to compensate coal miners who have been disabled by on-the-job dust exposure.  

An investigation by the Center for Public Integrity and ABC News, (Brian Ross, Matthew Mosk, and Chris Hamby), brings up the terrible reality that many of America’s coal miners have been denied their black lung benefits.  Although they were diagnosed as having the disease by their primary doctor, a particular physician at Johns Hopkins University and Medical Center has reviewed more than 1,500 x-rays of claimants since 2000, and never identified a single case of black lung disease.  In many cases, it took the miner’s death, and an autopsy that followed, to prove what the miner claimed all along, that the cause of his diminishing health was brought on by the dust he breathed while working underground.  Johns Hopkins is reviewing its Black Lung Program.  The Center for Public Integrity also reviewed the work of one of the coal industry’s “go-to” law firms for black lung cases, finding instances in which the firm withheld evidence of the disease while fighting the miners’ claims. 

ABC News identified a group of specialists with affiliations who help the coal companies defeat the miners in numerous cases.  (The disability benefit is around $1,000 per month).  A corps of lawyers, doctors, and experts have helped these companies deny the benefit to workers they so desperately need to fight the disease, rather than legal and medical experts. 

ABC News featured “Black Lung, Out of Breath” on Wednesday night’s evening news with Diane Sawyer.  It also aired on “Nightline” later that evening. Hopefully,  public awareness will help support the cause of protecting the mine workers who become ill, and receive their benefits, as promised in that 1969 law. 

Unless one has worked in industries such as mining, oil fields, or any other occupation that produces the energy our country needs, (or other countries, as well), persons do not realize the hazards that are involved in this kind of work.  Let’s not take those workers for granted.  Even though they are equipped with respiratory protection, hard hats,  and all types of safety gear, through the years the accumulation of coal dust and other particulates in mines may take its toll. 

Note:  Johns Hopkins Medicine has suspended its black lung program pending a review in response to an ABC News investigation with the Center for Public Integrity that showed how medical opinions from doctors at the prestigious hospital have helped the coal companies thwart efforts by ailing mine workers to receive disability benefits. 

Source: ABC News, Center for Public Integrity

TRAGEDY MARS CELEBRATION FOR WOUNDED WARRIORS AND THEIR FAMILIES

 Owners of U.S. flags in Midland, Texas, have been asked by the mayor of Midland to fly them at half-staff until Monday, to honor the memory of the four Wounded Warriors that lost their lives in a parade/train wreck Thursday, November 15.  It was all planned to be a celebration, with two floats being pulled by 18-wheelers, all decorated with the names of the veterans.  The day’s event, including the parade, had been organized by Show Of Support, a local veterans group. The parade was scheduled to end at a “Hunt for Heroes” banquet honoring the veterans, who were then to be given a deer-hunting trip over the weekend. The events were canceled. 

Four of those killed were veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, including an Army sergeant who saved his wife’s life, by pushing her from the float.  Another vet, also lost his life, but saved his wife.  Those who were in wheelchairs were unable to escape injury.  Along with the four military veterans who died Thursday, seventeen more were injured.  Some have been released from the hospital, but one remains in critical condition.  There were 26 people on the flatbed when it was struck, police said.

Witnesses report that the train was going around 60 mph, (below the speed limit) when it hit the float.  There was so much noise from sirens, etc., that it is unsure that the participants even heard the trains’ whistle, and that the traffic arms came down on the first riders on the second float, according to reports. 

The National Transportation Safety Board will do a full investigation into the accident.  Questions raised included were the permits and everything in order, was the railroad notified in time, and if the timing of the crossing gates was changed to give vehicles time to cross the tracks.  They also are considering that the town’s traffic lights caused the driver of the first truck to slow down, not allowing the second one to cross soon enough.  The black box on the train will answer many questions.  Late Thursday, Union Pacific spokesman Tom Lange told reporters that a preliminary investigation indicated that the crossing gate and warning lights at the tracks were working. He said he did not know if the train crew saw the float.  Deborah Hersman, NTSB chairwoman, said the train was equipped with a forward-facing camera, which could provide images to help in the investigation.

Midland Mayor Wes Perry and pastors Patrick Payton and Roy Smith are scheduled to host a community prayer vigil for the victims and their families, officials said. Midland is about 300 miles west of Dallas.

According to officials, the parade was traveling westbound on Wall Street when it turned south on Garfield Street, crossing the train tracks. The last two floats in the parade were carrying the veterans and their spouses.

Our military and their families make sacrifices every day for us.  This celebration of their contributions turned into a very sad day for Americans.  Remember these brave persons and all who serve, both at home and abroad.  With Thanksgiving coming up, say an extra “thank you” for our military heroes and their families, who wait for their return home.