Black lung pay-outs

MINERS diagnosed with black lung could receive $120,000 in lump sum payments, as part of proposed legislation being examined by a parliamentary committee.

Anyone diagnosed with coal workers’ pneumoconiosis could be eligible for payments ranging between about $18,000 and $120,000, depending on the severity of the disease.

“Only a worker with the most significant form of pneumoconiosis – progressive massive fibrosis – would potentially receive that sum (of $120,000),” Office of Industrial Relations assistant senior director Janene Hillhouse said.