June 17, 2009
MP STEPS UP CAMPAIGN TO HELP MINER’S KNEE SUFFERERS
MP John Healey has stepped up his campaign to help miner’s knee sufferers by warning the justice minister of the high fee legal firms are charging for help with form-filling.
Claims management firms have been touting for business and advertising in local papers in Rotherham and Barnsley, following the government’s recent announcement that ex-miners with this painful knee condition would be able to claim industrial injuries disablement benefit.
Mr Healey said he was still being contacted by people who thought they needed to get a solicitor.
He said: “I want to make it clear that people do not need a lawyer to make a claim.
“I have found out that one firm is charging £350 for help with an application. This is extortionate when people can claim themselves, for free. All they need to do is fill in a form – it is nothing more complicated than that.
“Help with this is available for free through the Rotherham Occupational Health Advice Service.”
He has written to justice minister Bridget Prentice MP to make her aware of the activity by legal firms in South Yorkshire.
“We don’t want a re-run of the compensation schemes for vibration white finger and COPD, where money wrongly went to solicitors in fees instead of going to miners in compensation they were entitled to,” he said.
Mr Healey has pulled together a fact sheet explaining how to make a claim and hundreds of people have already asked for a copy. Many have contacted him from Rotherham and Barnsley but some have been from further afield in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and West Yorkshire.
Claim forms are available from Rotherham Occupational Health Advisory Service (ROHAS), who can also help with making the application. You should phone 01709 428964/5/6 and ask to speak to a workplace health adviser. Forms are also available from Jobcentre Plus on 0845 758 5433.
If you want a copy of the fact sheet, contact Mr Healey’s office on 01709 875943.