Six former miners are interviewed about their struggle to get compensation for black lung, a disease in which the acid from inhaled coal dust forms scabs in the lung and the scar tissue eventually eats the lung tissue away. They speak about x-rays and blood tests, doctors' letters, denials, appeals, and hearings. They tell of having to repeat tests over and over until the result was negative. Union attorneys support their legal battles and much patience is required for the long-drawn process. In the last section, a representative of the Social Security Administrations talks to a group about various statistics and the internal checks of the black lung program.
description
Six former miners are interviewed about their struggle to get compensation for black lung, a disease in which the acid from inhaled coal dust forms scabs in the lung and the scar tissue eventually eats the lung tissue away. They speak about x-rays and blood tests, doctors' letters, denials, appeals, and hearings. They tell of having to repeat tests over and over until the result was negative. Union attorneys support their legal battles and much patience is required for the long-drawn process. In the last section, a representative of the Social Security Administrations talks to a group about various statistics and the internal checks of the black lung program.
Description
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