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Labour MP for Wentworth

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December 15, 2009

 

 

A LOCAL MP has helped return nearly £20,000 in wrongly charged legal fees to ex-miners.

This week John Healey met a constituent who has benefited from his campaign for solicitors to pay back deductions taken from miners’ compensation.

Michael King (58) of Gullingwood Drive, Thrybergh, asked John for help after noting his solicitors Attey Dibb & Clegg took £822.50 in legal charges from his compensation for Vibration White Finger.

After just a month, he received a cheque for £1,022.50 – which included an extra £200 for distress and inconvenience caused.

Mr King said: “The money has come in handy and has been a big boost just before Christmas. I have over a dozen grandchildren!

“I am extremely pleased and glad I asked John to help me. It was sorted out in no time. 

“I would encourage anyone to get in touch with John or the Legal Complaints Service – after all, it doesn’t cost anything does it?” 

Around three months ago, Mr Healey stepped up his campaign to put pressure on solicitors to return fees that should not have been taken from payouts under the Coal Health Compensation Scheme.

Hundreds of ex-miners in his Wentworth constituency came forward and the amount returned so far is pushing £20,000 – and rising.

Mr Healey said: “I want every miner or their family to claim these fees back – people who need and are entitled to this money have been out of pocket for long enough.

“Don’t be put off if you don’t have all the paperwork – I will do everything I can to help.

“Solicitors who wrongly took deductions should know that I will continue to demand they return this money. I want all solicitors at fault to do the right thing – make their clients aware they took deductions and repay fees quickly.”

The Wentworth MP’s campaign reached a milestone last month when Raleys – one of the most widely-used solicitors in the area for coal claims who were criticised for taking deductions and paying the NUM – agreed to write to 30,000 clients inviting them to complain about the NUM fee in order to receive an offer of payment.

Mr Healey said: “Raleys clients only have three months to respond to this offer, so if you haven’t received a letter yet and think fees may have been deducted from your compensation, get in touch. Family members are also entitled to receive this money on behalf of deceased relatives.” 

The Coal Health Compensation Scheme was set up in 1998 to help ex-miners suffering from respiratory disease and vibration white finger. In the Wentworth constituency nearly 10,000 people have received payments totalling over £50m. Some solicitors charged fees even though their costs were being met by the Government.

Constituents who think deductions may have been taken from their compensation and would like some help can ring Mr Healey’s office on 01709 875943. He is working with the Legal Complaints Service to get the money refunded. You can also request a fact sheet.