Our Services
Lungs at Work is a one-stop shop for miners and their families. We coordinate your medical exam and legal claim assistance and eliminate the red tape. Our integrated approach to navigating the complex black lung benefits process means that you receive consistent support - from your first screening all the way through legal representation if you decide to file a claim.
For younger miners, we provide baseline testing and information to help you make decisions about your health - right now and for the future. For miners no longer working, we help determine if you may qualify for benefits. For retirees, we show that it’s never too late to be tested and supported.
Medical Services
At Lungs at Work, we provide complete medical evaluations to help coal miners understand their lung health and determine whether coal mine dust exposure has affected their breathing. Our services are designed to meet strict medical and legal standards.
You can trust that Lungs at Work is on your side.
Confidentiality: Your medical and legal records are private. We only share your information with your permission.
Independence: We don’t work for coal companies or unions. Our testing and medical opinions are unbiased and belong to you.
Transparency: Medical testing is billed to insurance, Department of Labor exams are covered by the DOL, and our legal services are provided at no cost to you.
Our only priority is helping you understand your health and claim options and making sure you have the information you need to decide what’s best your life and your future.
Lungs at Work is an approved provider as part of the Federal Black Lung Program as well as a NIOSH -approved facility as part of their Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program offering spirometry testing.
At Lungs at Work, we go beyond the standard Department of Labor exam. For example, we include diffusion capacity testing, which measures how well your lungs move oxygen into your blood. This test has helped nearly one in four of our patients show disability that might have been missed otherwise. Choosing us for your exam ensures you receive the most complete and accurate evaluation of your breathing.
Legal Services
At Lungs at Work, we provide complete legal support to help coal miners and their families navigate the Federal Black Lung Benefits Program. Our goal is to make the process clear and manageable, so you understand your rights and can focus on your health and family.
Our Benefits Counseling services help you understand how the federal program works and what the disability standards mean for your situation. Whether you’re just learning about your options, preparing to file, or already have a claim in progress, we guide you through every step. We explain the paperwork, requirements, and timelines in plain language and provide honest, straightforward advice about your case. You can come to us anytime, even if you already have an attorney, for help or clarification.
If you decide to move forward with a claim, our attorney, Deanna Istik, provides legal representation at no cost to you. We prepare and file all required documents, gather medical and employment evidence, respond to the coal company, and represent you at your hearing. You will never be charged for our legal services - if your claim is successful, our legal fees are paid by the coal company, not by you.
At Lungs at Work, we stand beside miners and families throughout the entire process, from the first questions about eligibility to the final decision, ensuring you have the guidance, support, and advocacy you deserve.