Miners Knee

Recently, coal workers have gained significant press coverage in relation to the issue of former coal workers receiving compensation for knee problems caused due to the working conditions former coal workers were subjected to.

Some of the reports published have misleadingly suggested that lump sum compensations are being awarded by the Court System to those affected. However the recent developments relate to the introduction of a new industrial disease to the prescribed list for which a tax free pension can be claimed from the Department of Work and Pensions under the industrial injuries disablement benefit scheme.

The new prescribed disease known as Miners Knee is now available and enquiries about your entitlement should be made to your local benefits office.

Although the pension itself is tax free, it can affect other pensions or allowances that you may be receiving, therefore, to ensure your financial situation is not compromised as a result of claiming, we would recommend seeking advice from your nearest Citizen’s Advice Bureau or a similar welfare rights organisation before making a claim.

With regards to lump sum compensation payments, a number of test cases are still awaiting resolution; and until they are decided it remains difficult to lodge a civil claim. At Central Claims Group we welcome the recent pension developments and in our opinion they do add weight to the calls to the Government introduce a scheme similar to those previously introduced to compensate vibration white finger and chronic bronchitis/emphysema sufferers.