Progress to Date
Respiratory disease
Now
- There are now around 592,000 claims registered.
- We have paid out £2.3 billion.
- 575,000 claims have been settled.
Prioritisation
The Department continues to progress claims in accordance with the Handling Agreement, whereby the most elderly and ill claimants are prioritised. Widows are also given priority, wherever possible.
Solicitors
To assist solicitors in turning round offers, we have continue to improve our website - www.coalclaims.com - where solicitors are able to send in forms electronically and agree aspects of the claim online, particularly employment histories. Solicitors can also identify from the website their highest priority claims so they can better target their efforts on those cases that are most important. The more solicitors use this facility, the greater the reduction in paperwork and the faster the process moves.
Solicitors who wish to make enquiries regarding setting up an account can call the Helpline on 020 7339 8751 or email admin@coalclaims.com
The site now provides a series of case management reports enabling solicitors to see where their claims sit in the process, which are approaching cut-offs, etc. In addition, more information, including Court reports and orders, have been added. An upgrade to the hardware and software supporting the site was undertaken in October 2007 making the site quicker and more reliable.
Vibration White Finger (VWF)
Now:
- Total number of claims registered is 170,000, including about 25,000 deceased claims.
- More than 169,000 claims have been settled in full.
- Total compensation paid is £1.7 billion.