KRS 342.197: Discrimination against employees who have filed claims or who have a

diagnosis of coal-related pneumoconiosis -- Civil remedies.

(1) No employee shall be harassed, coerced, discharged, or discriminated against in any

manner whatsoever for filing and pursuing a lawful claim under this chapter.

(2) It is unlawful practice for an employer:

(a) To fail or refuse to hire, or to discharge any individual, or otherwise to

discriminate against an individual with respect to his compensation, terms,

conditions, o r privileges of employment, because such individual has been

diagnosed as having category 1/0, 1/1, or 1/2 occupational pneumoconiosis

with no respiratory impairment resulting from exposure to coal dust; or

(b) To limit, segregate, or classify his employees in any way which would deprive

or tend to deprive an individual of employment opportunities or otherwise

adversely affect his status as an employee, because such individual has been

diagnosed as having category 1/0, 1/1, or 1/2 occupational pneumoconiosi s

with no respiratory impairment resulting from exposure to coal dust.

(3) Any individual injured by any act in violation of the provisions of subsection (1) or

(2) of this section shall have a civil cause of action in Circuit Court to enjoin further

violations, and to recover the actual damages sustained by him, together with the

costs of the law suit, including a reasonable fee for his attorney of record.