MORE than 350 former British Coal workers who developed cancer and respiratory diseases after working in coke ovens have had their battle for compensation heard at the High Court in London.
Their lawyers said the hearing was another step towards achieving compensation from British Coal, Coal Products Limited and National Smokeless Fuels Limited after hundreds of workers suffered serious illnesses.
They had been exposured to dust and fumes at a number of coking plants around the country, including in Scotland, the north east of England, Yorkshire, Derbyshire and South Wales.
The Senior Master indicated in open court that she agreed a group claim was appropriate and that it would be made, subject to the approval of the President of the Queen’s Bench Division. If approved, the cases will be listed for a case management conference.
Elaine Russell, a partner and expert industrial illness lawyer at Irwin Mitchell Scotland, described it as an "extremely important milestone and moves the victims and their families a further step closer to securing the justice they deserve concerning exposure harmful fumes at a number of coking plants around the UK.”
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