Coal Prep Plant Workers Surprise WV Medical Board

In 2009, former coal prep plant workers filled a West Virginia Board of Osteopathy meeting room at the Embassy Suites in Charleston. Those that spoke claimed that they were/are suffering from illnesses caused by occupational exposure to chemicals they used while employed and have been turned down for workers compensation.

Dr. Michael Kostenko, DO, filed claims with the board in 2004, 2005 and 2006 regarding alleged corruption by physicians appointed to the former West Virginia Workers Compensation Commission stating they had violated ethics rules by denying occupational disease workers compensation claims. Kostenko spoke out at the meeting hoping he'd finally get an official response from the WVBO, since his claim request had not garnered any response in the past.