Opinion ID: 2411092
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: remaining kentucky harlan coal company issues

Text: While the basic facts are not at issue, we recite that Holmes had worked 14 years as an underground coal miner for Kentucky Harlan and had taken the company physical (inclusive of x-rays) prior to employment. He ceased work in May of 1989 because of stomach complaints. Prior to mining work, he had been employed at a foundry and denied breathing problems prior to Harlan Coal Company employment. There was substantial medical evidence ranging from a showing of no pneumoconiosis to that of category 2/2 pneumoconiosis. Additionally, some medical proof disclosed a mixed type pneumoconiosis relating to exposure to sand, coal and iron dust. In essence, the medical evidence ranged from little or no pulmonary impairment to restrictive impairment. The employer argues there was insufficient medical evidence to support a finding that Holmes suffered from coal miner's pneumoconiosis, but still another physician found radiographic evidence compatible with category 2/1 pneumoconiosis. Yet another physician found pneumoconiosis type P/Q, which is the exact type of reading which another physician testified as showing pure coal worker's pneumoconiosis. Under these facts, the administrative law judge as fact finder, can believe part of the evidence and disbelieve other parts, even if such proof comes from the same witness or the same adversary party's total proof. Caudill v. Maloney's Discount Stores, Ky., 560 S.W.2d 15 (1977). Most clearly and decidedly, the language of KRS 342.732(1)(d) renders the employer's argument untenable. As long as there was some exposure to coal dust and a reading of at least category 2/1 pneumoconiosis upon which the ALJ relied, there is the irrebuttable presumption, i.e., total disability and that the disability resulted from coal dust exposure. The employer maintains that in the event pneumoconiosis is a proper diagnosis the ALJ erred by failing to make a finding of mixed pneumoconiosis and resultantly apply KRS 342.730. Whatever the direction of the argument on this issue, it is necessary that the last employer, Kentucky Harlan Coal Company, bear the burden of proving multiple exposure. Stovall v. Mullen, Ky.App., 674 S.W.2d 526 (1984). Thus, the question is whether the evidence is so overwhelming, upon considering this record as a whole, that the court is compelled to make a finding in the employer's favor. See Wolf Creek Collieries v. Crum, Ky.App., 673 S.W.2d 735 (1984). The medical testimony is simply lacking upon this issue. In cases where workers have a mixed exposure to both coal dust and other dust, KRS 342.732 would apply if inhalation of coal dust was a substantial medical cause of any respiratory impairment the worker exhibited. See Newberg v. Reynolds, Ky., 831 S.W.2d 170 (1992). Presumably it would also apply if inhalation of coal dust was a substantial medical cause of the x-ray diagnosis of the disease for the purposes of KRS 342.732(1)(a). Irrespective, in the Holmes case the ALJ determined that the prior exposure to sand, iron dust, and welding fumes did not contribute to the worker's pneumoconiosis and was affirmed on that issue successively by the Workers' Compensation Board and the Court of Appeals. There being no gross error in that decision, KRS 342.732 would apply, regardless. The employer maintains that had pneumoconiosis been established, benefits should have been apportioned pursuant to KRS 342.316(10)(a). Appellant gives no authority to bolster this argument. Substantial evidence supports the ALJ's findings. In deciding whether an act of the General Assembly is unconstitutional, we necessarily have begun with the strong presumption in favor of constitutionality and so conclude. Brooks v. Island Creek Coal Co., Ky.App., 678 S.W.2d 791 (1984). Courts cannot assume that actions of the legislature are capricious, and, generally, they are afforded the presumption of regularity. Delta Air Lines, Inc. v. Commonwealth, Revenue Cabinet, Ky., 689 S.W.2d 14 (1985). The opinions of the Court of Appeals are affirmed. LAMBERT, STUMBO and WINTERSHEIMER, JJ., concur. STEPHENS, C.J., dissents by separate opinion in which LEIBSON and SPAIN, JJ., join. LEIBSON, J., dissents by separate opinion in which STEPHENS, C.J., joins.