April 8, 2009
MP CALLS FOR MINERS’ KNEE COMPENSATION
MP John Healey is calling on the government to look at whether compensation can be paid to ex-miners suffering from a debilitating knee injury.
In the last 10 years the government has paid over £4bn to more than 760,000 former miners suffering from respiratory disease and vibration white finger.
In Rotherham, more than 20,000 ex-miners and their families have received over £120m in compensation. In Barnsley over £250m has gone to more than 40,000 claimants.
But ex-miners have contacted Mr Healey asking for the coal health compensation scheme to be extended to include those who have developed ‘miners’ knee’, where the cartilage is damaged causing pain, swelling and stiffness. It is brought on by prolonged kneeling, crawling and carrying heavy weights.
Mr Healey is pursuing this with ministers at the Department for Energy and Climate Change.
Mr Healey said: “The government’s compensation scheme has helped thousands of ex-miners and their families in our area and we should continue to recognise the huge contribution these men made to this country.
“Many suffer from severe ill health, with their conditions directly linked to grafting underground. Some have got in touch to tell me they or their ex-colleagues have been unable to work for years or are in constant pain. They should not have the added stress of worrying how to pay bills or look after their families.”