⁍ coal baron Robert Murray has applied for federal benefits to treat his black lung disease.
⁍ Murray Energy filed for bankruptcy last year.
⁍ Company had over $150 million in black lung compensation obligations to its miners.
– coal baron Robert Murray, whose company Murray Energy filed for bankruptcy last year, has applied for federal benefits to treat his black lung disease. Murray, an ally of President Trump, filed a claim with the Department of Labor seeking to access federal benefits to treat his disease, which is caused by prolonged exposure to coal dust, Ohio Valley ReSource, a National Public Radio affiliate, reported on Thursday. Reuters could not independently confirm the report. Murray wrote in his filing for benefits from the fund that he is heavily dependent on an oxygen tank and is “near death.” Murray said he is entitled to benefits after working in underground mines for 63 years. Murray’s company had over $150 million in black lung compensation obligations to its miners when it filed for bankruptcy in October, according to court filings. When a mining company goes bankrupt, the responsibility for black lung compensation payments is often shifted to the federal government’s Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-coal-blacklung/coal-baron-murray-seeks-us-benefits-to-treat-his-black-lung-disease-report-idUSL1N2GS0YZ