Advice over miners' knee claims

Miners who worked underground for 10 years or more are eligible

Thousands of former pit workers who have a condition known as miners' knee have been advised not to use a solicitor to make a compensation claim.

A change in the law from 13 July means miners with osteoarthritis of the knee can now claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.

Claimants have been urged to apply direct to Jobcentre Plus rather than pay for solicitors' services.

Symptoms of the disease include reduced mobility, swelling, stiffness and pain.

'Several thousands'

Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: "It is only right that this help should be available to coal miners who have worked hard all their lives and are now suffering from this painful condition.

"It is also vital people understand they can claim direct through Jobcentre Plus and do not need to pay for the services of solicitors.

"This will ensure they get all the money they are entitled to.

"To avoid people contacting solicitors unnecessarily, we deliberately started accepting claims in advance of today and we are delighted that several thousands have already applied."

Osteoarthritis of the knee has been added to the list of prescribed diseases after ministers acted on a recommendation from the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council.

It means miners with the disease who have worked underground for 10 years or more are eligible to claim benefit.

In 2008, Jim Beresford and Douglas Smith, of Doncaster-based Beresfords Solicitors, were struck off for taking millions of pounds of compensation payouts given to sick miners.

Earlier this year a tribunal ruled solicitors at a South Yorkshire law firm deliberately breached a code of conduct to collect £32m in fees from miners' compensation claims.