Miners’ Knee Victims to Get Government Benefit
Osteoarthritis of the knee affects thousands of people across the country. The disease, which particularly affects the miners and is thus commonly referred to as Miners’ Knee, has symptoms including severe stiffness and swelling. In a welcome action, the government has now announced that the disease will be added to the list of ‘prescribed diseases’, which will entitle sufferers for financial assistance.
Mr. James Purnell, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, delivered this news, and confirmed that victims will now be able to claim government compensation through the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit. The decision is expected to be put in force this summer, and would offer help to a substantial number of miners afflicted with the condition.
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Mr. Purnell further said that this assistance would be granted to the many miners who have worked hard for years and suffer from Miner’s Knee. The lives of these workers have been rendered difficult and several of them have been compelled to prematurely end their careers. He expressed his pleasure at the fact that now these miners can get a much-needed monetary assistance from the government.
Kitty Ussher, DWP Parliamentary Under Secretary, was also pleased at the development, which will help miners suffering from this disease through no mistake of their own, and estimated that many thousands of former miners will benefit from the decision.
The decision comes after Ministers had accepted a recommendation of The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council to the effect that coal miners suffering from Miner’s Knee, who have worked underground for over ten years should be made eligible for the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.
