Legal Definitions - clinical pneumoconiosis

Clinical pneumoconiosis is a chronic lung disease caused or worsened by exposure to coal dust during employment in coal mines. This disease is characterized by respiratory and pulmonary impairments that may not appear until after exposure to coal dust has ended.

• Silicosis or silicotuberculosis
• Massive pulmonary fibrosis
• Anthrosilicosis

These examples illustrate how clinical pneumoconiosis can manifest in different ways. Silicosis or silicotuberculosis is caused by exposure to silica dust, which can also be found in coal mines. Massive pulmonary fibrosis is a severe form of lung scarring that can occur due to prolonged exposure to coal dust. Anthrosilicosis is a combination of coal workers' pneumoconiosis and silicosis.

Legal pneumoconiosis is a chronic restrictive or obstructive pulmonary disease or impairment that arises from coal mine employment. It is different from clinical pneumoconiosis in that it is recognized as a compensableoccupational disease under workers' compensation laws.