United States Fourth Circuit

Denial of benefits under the Black Lung Benefits Act was inappropriate where judge failed to consider (contrary to mandate) a reasoned medical opinion indicating that appellant was totally disabled, and erroneously relied on two opinions regarding causation from doctors who had not diagnosed Scott with pneumoconiosis, contrary to findings.

Appellate Information

• Argued 02/28/2000
• Decided 05/02/2002
• Published 05/02/2002

Judges

• Before WILKINSON, Chief Judge, WIDENER, Circuit Judge, and JAMES R. SPENCER, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia, sitting by designation.

Court

• United States Fourth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellees:
  
• ARGUED:  Martin Douglas Wegbreit, Client Centered Legal Services of Southwest Virginia, Inc., Castlewood, Virginia, for Petitioner.  Mark Elliott Solomons, Arter & Hadden, L.L.P., Washington, D.C., for Respondents.   ON BRIEF:  Laura Metcoff Klaus, ARTER & HADDEN, L.L.P., Washington, D.C., for Respondents.