A new law passed by the government came into effect this month allowing miners to claim for compensation for injuries suffered to their knees while at work. The injury is called osteoarthritis and is known to affect miners who worked in the pit for many years kneeling in damp and wet conditions.
From July 13th miners are able to claim for compensation by claiming Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.
However, miners have been advised to avoid using personal injury lawyers and no win no fee solicitors to pursue their claims. Instead they have been advised to use the Jobcentre Plus.
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Yvette Cooper, added:
It is only right that this help should be available to coal miners who have worked hard all their lives and are now suffering from this painful condition.
It is also vital people understand they can claim direct through Jobcentre Plus and do not need to pay for the services of solicitors.
This will ensure they get all the money they are entitled to.
To avoid people contacting solicitors unnecessarily, we deliberately started accepting claims in advance of today and we are delighted that several thousands have already applied.
Following advice from the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council, the government passed a law that allowed miners to claim for compensation for Osteoarthritis of the knee.
Miners have been advised to avoid personal injury lawyers following high profile case where lawyers have taken millions of pounds in compensation that should have gone to miners.
Douglas Smith and Jim Beresford were struck off last year after they earned millions that should have been awarded to miners.
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