Appalachian Citizens Law Center Inc

ACLC is at the forefront of the on-the-ground legal response to the multiple impacts of coal mining in Appalachia.  We are the only law firm in the country that combines direct legal work with advocacy on the multiple fronts of occupational health, mine safety, and environmental impacts. We have secured millions of dollars in black lung benefits for coal miners and their survivors; represented hundreds of Appalachian citizens in defense of safe, clean drinking water, and partnered with a broad coalition of activists and organizers to further all of our work. All our legal work is provided completely free of charge.

Our constituents are people in the Appalachian coalfield region–active and disabled coal miners, their families, and communities.  Our congressional district (KY-5) struggles with a 30% poverty rate and the attendant symptoms of chronic, systemic poverty.  We are dead last (435th out of 435) in life expectancy, physical health, emotional health and overall well-being.  Approximately 80% of our clients are disabled by black lung or other occupational disabilities and 90% are in poverty.

ACLC works with Appalachian residents who seek redress for their injuries and proper enforcement of occupational and environmental protection laws. 

The Center’s programs focus on three main areas: 1) mine safety employment matters on behalf of miners who were fired or retaliated against for complaining of unsafe work conditions; 2) occupational lung disease claims of coal miners and issues involving the administration of the federal black lung program; and 3) environmental justice problems involving the impact of coal mining, logging, and oil and gas drilling.