James Couch filed a lawsuit with Mine Safety Appliances, in saying the masks he wore while working in the mines did not stop him from getting black lung and in doing so won an eight million dollar judgment. Officials say more than one entity tried to have the masks banned at one point back in the 70’s, but MSA continued distributing them, Couch wore these makes more 15 years. In a statement to wymt, primary attorney Rick Friedman says the heart of the case was knowing the masks weren’t up to to safe standards , and still selling them regardless.