Disclosure of Medical Evidence

The Black Lung Benefits Act (BLBA), 30 U.S.C. 901 et seq., may require parties to exchange all medical information about the miner they develop in connection with a claim for benefits, including information parties do not intent to submit as evidence in the claim. BLBA regulations help protect a miner's health, assist unrepresented parties, and promote accurate benefit determinations. The potential parties to a BLBA claim include the benefits claimant, the responsible coal mine operator and its insurance carrier, and the Director of OWCP. Under BLBA, a party of a party's agent who receives medical information about the miner must send a copy to all other parties within 30 days after receipt or, if a hearing before an administrative law judge has already been scheduled, at least 20 days before the hearing. The exchanged information is entered into the record of the claim only if a party submits it into evidence.

The latest form for Disclosure of Medical Evidence expires 2028-07-31 and can be found here.