What you need to know about 'miner's knee'
The government has announced that osteoarthritis of the knee (commonly known as miner's knee) will be added to the list of 'prescribed diseases' - meaning thousands of sufferers will be able to receive Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB).
I and other Labour MPs have been campaigning for this condition to be recognised and for those men who suffer with this very painful condition to receive financial help. The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council recommended that miner's knee should be added to the list of prescribed diseases. The government agreed and in April 2009 the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions announced that the recommendation would be implemented.
In July and September 2009 hundreds of ex-miners attended roadshows I hosted at Cortonwood Miners' Welfare and the Burlington Club, Wath. Help was on hand with making an application for IIDB from advisors from Jobcentre Plus and Rotherham Occupational Health Advice Service.
Latest news
- Second roadshow for miner's knee sufferers
- Justice minister investigating law firm's miner's knee advert after MP raises concerns
- MP hosts roadshow for miner's knee sufferers
- MP steps up campaign to help miner's knee sufferers
- Miner's knee claimants don't need a lawyer
- More government help for miners
- Calls for miners' knee compensation
Fact sheet
- See a copy of the fact sheet I have put together, which has been sent to hundreds of ex-miners up and down the country.
- You do not need a solicitor to make this claim. If you need any help or advice with filling in your form this is available for free from Jobcentre Plus (phone 0845 758 5433) or Rotherham Occupational Health Advice Service (phone 01709 428964/5/6). These are also the numbers you should call if you would like a form to be sent to you.
- Link to the Jobcentre Plus site of the Department for Work and Pensions, where you can find out more about IIDB and download a claim form. You can also phone the Jobcentre Plus dealing with these claims for Yorkshire on the phone number above and ask for a claim form to be sent to you.
- If you are outside Yorkshire, you need to phone one of the centres below.