Leonard W. Workman v. Hobet Mining, Incorporated (Board decision, June 24, 2026)

BRB final decision. The Benefits Review Board dismissed the appeal and remanded the claim to the district director for payment by the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund. Under 20 C.F.R. § 802.406, a Board decision becomes final 60 days after issuance unless a timely petition for judicial review or a timely request for Board reconsideration is filed. A party may request Board reconsideration within 30 days under 20 C.F.R. § 802.407.

Plain-English summary

Leonard W. Workman sought black lung benefits in a claim involving Hobet Mining and its former parent company, Arch Resources. After a federal appeals court ruling on insurer liability, the Board dismissed both from payment responsibility. The Director of the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs did not oppose Workman's entitlement to benefits. The Board dismissed the appeal and sent the claim to the district director for payment from the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.

Decision snapshot

• Authority: Trust Fund payment under 26 U.S.C. § 9501(d)(1)(B).
• Outcome: Appeal dismissed; claim returned to the district director for Trust Fund payment.
• Key point: Hobet and Arch were dismissed from payment responsibility, and the Trust Fund must pay benefits.

Full text (BRB public release)

U.S. Department of Labor
Benefits Review Board
200 Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20210-0001

BRB No. 24-0376 BLA
Case No. 2022-BLA-05800

LEONARD W. WORKMAN
)
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Claimant-Respondent
)
)
v. )
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HOBET MINING, INCORPORATED
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and
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NOT-PUBLISHED
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Self-Insured Through ARCH RESOURCES
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DATE ISSUED: 06/24/2026
Employer/Carrier-
)
Petitioners
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)
DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF WORKERS’
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COMPENSATION PROGRAMS, UNITED
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STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
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)
Party-in-Interest
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ORDER

On October 1, 2025, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, within whose jurisdiction this case arises, held in Hobet Mining, Inc. v. Director, OWCP [Meredith], 156 F.4th 385 (4th Cir. 2025), reh’g denied (Mar. 16, 2026), that Arch Coal Company, Inc. (Arch), 1 the parent company of Hobet Mining, Inc. (Hobet Mining), could 0F

not be held liable as a self-insurer for the payment of benefits arising out of a miner’s employment with Arch’s former subsidiaries, including Hobet Mining, when Patriot Coal,

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Arch Coal, Inc., is also known as Arch Resources. Arch has merged with CONSOL Energy and is now known as Core Natural Resources. Employer’s Mot. to Dismiss at 1 n.1; Employer’s Opposition to the Director’s Mot. at 1 n.1. the subsequent owner and self-insurer of Hobet Mining at the time the claim was filed, went bankrupt. The parties agree that Meredith controls this case.

On October 14, 2025, Core Natural Resources filed a motion to dismiss Hobet Mining and Arch (Employer) as the responsible operator in this case pursuant to Meredith. On April 8, 2026, the Director, Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (the Director), filed a motion to hold the appeal in this case in abeyance until Meredith is not subject to further appeal.

On June 11, 2026, the Benefits Review Board issued an Order denying the Director’s motion to hold the appeal in this case in abeyance, granting the motion to dismiss Employer as the responsible operator, and ordering the Director to inform the Board within seven days whether he elects to contest entitlement in this case. See 20 C.F.R.
§§725.414(a)(3)(iii), 725.497(d). In a June 17, 2026 response to the Board’s Order, the Director states he does not oppose Claimant’s entitlement to benefits.

In view of the above, the Board dismisses this appeal and remands this case to the district director for the payment of benefits by the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund. See 26 U.S.C. §9501(d)(1)(B); 20 C.F.R. §725.1(c), (e).

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SO ORDERED.

DANIEL T. GRESH, Chief
Administrative Appeals Judge

JONATHAN ROLFE
Administrative Appeals Judge

GLENN E. ULMER
Administrative Appeals Judge

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