Coal Miner Blames Silicosis/Pneumoconiosis on Defects In Respirators

PIKEVILLE, Ky. - A former Kentucky coal miner has filed a lawsuit in federal court against three respirator manufacturers, alleging that defects in their products exposed him to silica dust that led to a diagnosis of silicosis/pneumoconiosis. Boggs, et ux. v. 3M Co., et al., No. 7:12-cv-00012-KKC (E.D. Ky.).

Eugene Boggs filed the complaint Jan. 30 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, naming as defendants 3M Co., Cabot Safety Corp. and Mine Safety Appliances.

Boggs contends that his exposure to "silica and other pneumoconiosis producing dust" occurred from 1970 to 1986, when he was employed …