AROUND 90 former coke oven workers from Gwent have been told they can launch a legal challenge for compensation over illnesses caused by exposure to harmful dust and fumes at work over several decades.

A judge at the High Court in London ruled earlier today that a group compensation case, including hundreds of former National Coal Board (NCB) coke workers, can go ahead.

Expert law firms Irwin Mitchell and Hugh James applied for the Group Action claim against British Coal, Coal Products Limited and National Smokeless Fuels Limited after hundreds of workers suffered illness following exposure to dust and fumes at a number of coking plants around the country, including in Scotland, the North East, Yorkshire, Derbyshire and South Wales.

The Senior Master indicated in open court that she agreed a a Group Litigation Order (GLO) was appropriate and that it would  be made, subject to the approval of the President of the Queen’s Bench Division. If approved, the cases will be listed for a case management conference.

Kathryn Singh, Partner and expert in industrial illness claims at Hugh James solicitors, which is handling 200 Welsh claims, said: “Today’s hearing is a hugely important stage in getting redress for those affected by illness following exposure to dust and fumes at a number of coking plants around the UK, including South Wales.

“If approved, the case will be listed for a further hearing for case management of the litigation and we are waiting confirmation of the position for a hearing date .”

Hugh James solicitors will be running a series of public meetings in collaboration with Bleddyn Hancock, previously General Secretary of NACODS (National Association of Colliery Overmen, Deputies and Shotfirers) throughout Wales over the coming weeks. They are intended to assist potential claimants in pursuing compensation. Each of the sessions, which do not require appointments, will begin with a presentation by Hugh James and be followed by a drop-in clinic during which people who have been affected can ask questions on a one-to-one basis. 

The sessions will take place at the following times and venues:

Newport - Friday 31 July - 11am-2pm

Christchurch Centre, B T Compound/Malpas Road, Newport NP20 5PP

Ebbw Vale - Friday 07 August - 11am-3pm

Ebbw Vale Institute, Church Street, Ebbw Vale NP23 6BE

Bleddyn Hancock said: “It is highly likely that a time limit will be placed on anyone who wishes to make a claim.  For that reason, any former coke workers or the relatives of deceased coke workers should act immediately to register a potential claim.”

Roger Maddocks, a Partner and expert industrial illness lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: “The hearing today at the High Court is an extremely important milestone and moves the victims and their families a further step closer to securing the justice they deserve concerning exposure to harmful fumes at a number of coking plants around the UK.”

Irwin Mitchell and Hugh James are also currently investigating several hundred similar claims for former British Steel employees and similar action is contemplated in respect of their claims shortly.

Mr Berwyn Jones cared for his father, Mr William Noah Jones during the last years of his life, until he sadly passed away in December 2014.

Berwyn lives in Caerphilly. William worked at Nantgarw from 1981 – 1985. He worked his way up through the ranks on the coke ovens until he became a general foreman on the ovens in 1980.

Berwyn also worked at both Nantgarw and Cwm coke works throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s and therefore knows a lot about the coke making process at the NCB plants.

Berwyn explains that as a foreman on the coke ovens, his father would have spent nearly all of his time on the oven tops and sides. He was exposed to dust and fumes without any respiratory protection, until racal helmets were introduced in the 1980s.

William suffered from asthma, COPD and chronic bronchitis. He had a productive cough when he was working at the coke ovens and his health deteriorated rapidly after he finished working there.  Berwyn provided around the clock care for his father until he passed away.

Berwyn hopes that his father's claim will make other families aware that they can make a claim even in their loved ones have passed away.