Miners who have suffered for years with illnesses they say were caused by coal dust could win a record compensation bill from the government.

High Court judge Mr Justice Turner will deliver on Friday a ruling in a seven-year fight by eight former deep seam miners who suffer from chest diseases.

If the men win the cases, brought against British Coal, they will set a precendent for a pay-out which could reach £1.3 billion.

British Coal never admitted liability for illnesses miners say they suffered from working in coal mines

But because British Coal no longer exists, the costs will fall on the taxpayer through the Department of Trade and Industry.

Another 162 cases are being held back subject to Mr Justice Turner's ruling and lawyers believe any eventual pay out could be the biggest ever personal injury settlement in the UK.

The men's lawyers argue that British Coal should have protected the miners, who suffer diseases such as bronchitis with emphysema, but failed to take adequate steps.

At earlier hearings, they argued that British Coal knew of the health risks of working in the mines but failed to act at the time, despite being subject to health and safety regulations from as long ago as 1947.

British Coal never accepted liability for the claims but reportedly put aside up to £1 billion in case it had to settle before the industry was privatised.

Former miner Kenneth Williams explains why he went to court (0' 44)

One of the miners, Ken Williams, said British Coal owed a debt to the miners who for decades risked their lives underground.

Mr Williams, who suffers from bronchitis with emphysema, worked at the Thurcroft Pit, Yorkshire, from when the age of 15.

He now uses an oxygen aid and cannot walk more than 50 yards without losing his breath.

"Dust was in the air all the time, we even kicked it up as we walked down the pit," said Mr Williams.

"There were no dust masks when I first started work and we just had to get on with it. The dust was shocking, you couldn't see in front of you."

Solicitor Andrew Tucker inspected one million documents over three years when he prepared the cases.

He said: "British Coal has been under an obligation since 1947 to minimise harmful dust. This case is about seeking to establish that the dust caused injury and the levels of dust could have been reduced by British Coal if they had taken the available steps."
 

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©