Lungs at Work

Lungs at Work Lungs at Work is dedicated to providing legal advocacy and health care services to coal miners. We are here to help.

Founded in 2002 as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, Lungs at Work is the only free-standing Black Lung Clinic in the United States. Lungs at Work, located in McMurray, Pennsylvania, serves the coal mine-dense region of Western-Pennsylvania where nearly every county in this region has active or closed mines. We provide medical services, outreach and education, medical and benefit counseling, res

earch, and lay advocacy to active, retired, disabled, and former coal miners and other individuals with occupational lung disease. The staff at Lungs at Work also assist miners and their families with claims for Federal Black Lung disability benefits. All benefit work done on behalf of the miner is done at no charge. This includes assistance in filling out the application forms for Federal Black Lung disability benefits and the mounds of paperwork that can accompany a claim. We also assist claimants in gathering, developing, and submitting the evidence necessary for their claim. We have a relationship with an attorney should your case go to court. We only ask that the claimant pay for the costs associated with developing the medical evidence. We want to see miners and their families receive the benefits for which they qualify. Please contact us with any questions you have about your breathing problems or Black Lung claim.

08/28/2025

Lungs at Work will be closed for Labor Day on September 1, 2025

We are spending the day with NIOSH’s Coal Worker Health Surveillance Program in Grantsville, MD! Come by and get your fr...
08/27/2025

We are spending the day with NIOSH’s Coal Worker Health Surveillance Program in Grantsville, MD! Come by and get your free and confidential NIOSH black lung screening, stop and say hello, and pick up some information about Lungs at Work!

Congratulations to the miner who received his interim award in his Federal Black Lung claim!If you or someone you know i...
08/25/2025

Congratulations to the miner who received his interim award in his Federal Black Lung claim!

If you or someone you know is a coal miner who has noticed a change in their breathing, give us a call at 724-941-1650 to see how we can help!

Enjoyed the King Coal Parade yesterday!
08/24/2025

Enjoyed the King Coal Parade yesterday!

It's been a busy few days at Lungs at Work with a few awards coming in! Congratulations to our miners!If you, or someone...
08/22/2025

It's been a busy few days at Lungs at Work with a few awards coming in! Congratulations to our miners!

If you, or someone you know, has worked as a coal miner and has noticed a change in your breathing, give us a call at 724-941-1650 to talk about your options to file for Federal Black Lung Disability Benefits. Our staff can assist you in completing the application, your medical testing, and all of the paperwork that is necessary. We even have an attorney who will represent you in court! There is no cost to you for these services. Reach out today to see how we can help!

Take advantage of a free screening for black lung!
08/22/2025

Take advantage of a free screening for black lung!

Save the date 🗓️! NIOSH’s Coal Worker Health Surveillance Program will be offering black lung screenings for miners in Maryland. Screenings are free and confidential. Appointments are recommended but walk-ins are welcome. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3ynb5Fw

Congratulation to our miner who received his final award for Federal Black Lung Disability Benefits! Thank you for allow...
08/18/2025

Congratulation to our miner who received his final award for Federal Black Lung Disability Benefits! Thank you for allowing us to partner with you!

If you or someone you know is a coal miner who has noticed a change in their breathing, reach out to us at (724) 941-1650 to see how we can help!

"But the more time that goes by without regulation on exposure to silica dust means more miners will develop the disease...
08/14/2025

"But the more time that goes by without regulation on exposure to silica dust means more miners will develop the disease early, Emery said.

More than 40% of the black lung screenings done at her clinic last year came up positive for the disease.

“If you think about the numbers that we’re seeing right now, we haven’t peaked,” Emery said. “Even if [the silica dust rule] gets implemented tomorrow, there’s still going to have to be massive changes.” [...]

Miners across Appalachia are being diagnosed with black lung at younger ages than their predecessors due to a lack of easily accessible coal. Now, they must dig through more silica-rich sandstone to reach the coal that remains.

“This is not just your grandfather’s disease anymore,” Emery said. “It’s your husband’s disease, it’s your brother’s disease, it’s your son’s disease right now, and it’s affecting all of them.”

As time goes on, the consequences of this will grow.

That’s what is so critical about the silica dust rule, Emery said. It’s already too late to protect many of the miners who are working underground now, but the future generations and those recently entering the industry could be saved from developing black lung."

A federal rule to limit coal miners’ exposure to dangerous silica dust — which was set to go into effect next week after already being delayed for months — is expected to be further postponed following a joint status update filed in federal court this week. Now, the rule’s implementation wil...

08/12/2025

Don’t miss the upcoming free and confidential black lung screenings from NIOSH’s Coal Worker Health Surveillance Program. They will be offering black lung screenings for miners in Maryland. Appointments are recommended but walk-ins are welcome. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3ynb5Fw

Coal mine dust stays in your lungs and your breathing gets worse over time. Even if you didn't qualify for benefits befo...
08/11/2025

Coal mine dust stays in your lungs and your breathing gets worse over time. Even if you didn't qualify for benefits before, your breathing might be bad enough now.

Give us a call at 724-941-1650 to see how we can help. We offer FREE benefits counseling and legal representation.

New rules proposed by MSHA that will take away the authority of the district managers to implement “mine specific” roof...
08/05/2025

New rules proposed by MSHA that will take away the authority of the district managers to implement “mine specific” roofing and ventilation plans, amongst other things. A roll back of the district managers authority will negatively affect the health and safety of our coal miners. We know that all mines are not the same, and having a singular approach to mining can have detrimental effects. For example, some mines have more methane while others have more sandstone.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration moves to limit discretionary enforcement by district officials, citing legal and constitutional concerns.

Address

5000 Waterdam Plaza Drive Suite 180
McMurray, PA
15317

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+17249411650

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Lungs at Work posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category