Miner's knee sufferers claim cutbacks

MINERS' knee sufferers in Rotherham say most former pitmen making claims are being turned down.

Retired collier Howard Douglas, who has osteoarthritis, is meeting Wentworth MP John Healey today to take up the issue.

Angry Mr Douglas (57), said that he was "one of the lucky ones" with a assessment of three per cent disability.

"Most of the ex-miners I know have been turned down flat," said Mr Douglas, of Dale Road, Rawmarsh.

"Most have been given a zero rating and I know of only one who had a zero per cent rating and got 16 per cent on appeal.

"But all the rest have been rejected.

"My solicitor thought I had done well compared with many other sick miners."

He said that if he had been assessed as having nine per cent disability he could have claimed industrial injury.

The Government now officially recognises osteoarthritis of the knees in coal miners as an industrial disease and in July 2009 introduced a benefit through the industrial injuries disability benefit scheme.

Eligible sufferers have since been able to apply for compensation.

Those meeting the criteria for prescribed diseases have to be medically examined by a doctor to have the condition confirmed as part of the claim.