Wash. Appellate Court Affirms Denial of Benefits to Former Alcoa Employee in Aluminum Dust-Related Appeal

SPOKANE, Wash. –– A Washington appellate court has upheld an order denying a claim for benefits filed by a former Alcoa employee who alleged that his lung ailments were caused by exposure to aluminum dust.

In the June 21 order, the Washington Court of Appeals, Division Three, ruled that the plaintiff’s experts “provided no verification” that his lung injuries were caused by his employment and not other exposures in his everyday life, including his one-pack-a-day smoking habit.

Neil Hornsby filed a claim for benefits, contending that during the course of his employment at Alcoa Inc.’s smelter, he inserted and removed …