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Compensation for sufferers of Miners' Knee
Latest figures show that payments totalling over four and a quarter million pounds have been made to North East Somerset’s ex-miners under this scheme. Sadly many of the payments had to be made to surviving families of pit workers who passed away before they could receive compensation.
Like other North East Somerset residents I know the huge debt our area owes to miners who toiled long hours in local pits, working in terrible conditions. So I’m pleased the Government has just announced a new scheme to enable many thousands of former pit workers who have Osteoarthritis of the knee to claim compensation. Symptoms of the condition, commonly known as ‘Miners’ Knee’, include pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility.
Miners’ Knee is being added to the list of ‘prescribed diseases’, which means sufferers will be able to apply for compensation through the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit. The change is expected to come into force next month.
For further information please get in touch Written for the Somerset Guardian May 2009
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Ten
years ago the Government recognised the awful damage to miners’ health
from working underground, establishing a special compensation scheme to
ensure they received justice.