Important Milestone In Fight For Former Workers Suffering Illness

Specialist lawyers representing 325 former British Steel coke oven workers and their families across the UK, who developed a number of life-limiting and debilitating respiratory diseases, have had their application for a Group Litigation Order (GLO) made against British Steel and its predecessors and successors in title approved by the High Court.

With claims relating back to working practices dating from the 1940s, the approval of the GLO marks a significant step forward for hundreds of coke oven workers who have since suffered from illnesses following alleged exposure to harmful dust and fumes at a number of sites operated by British Steel across the UK.

Law firms Hugh James and Irwin Mitchell, who made the application for the GLO jointly, were contacted by 325 former workers from sites in Wales, Scotland, the North East, Yorkshire and Derbyshire.  Hugh James was contacted by former workers who worked at sites including East Moors, Ebbw Vale, Llanwern, Port Talbot and Shotton.

The law firms are now awaiting confirmation of a hearing date. A deadline will then be set for those who have been affected to join the group action. 

Roger Maddocks, a Partner and expert industrial illness lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: 

Expert Opinion

“The approval of the GLO by the High Court, and the admission of liability, are extremely important milestones and move the victims and their families a further step closer to securing the justice they deserve concerning the exposure to harmful fumes decades ago at a number of coking plants around the UK.

“These workers through no fault of their own have developed serious, and in some cases fatal, respiratory illnesses and lung cancers causing them unnecessary pain and suffering when they should be enjoying their later life with their families. Nothing can turn back the clock but this legal action will hopefully provide them with the help, support and treatments needed to make dealing with their illness more comfortable.

“The Court will now also determine a deadline for workers to sign up and we would now urge anyone else who feels they were affected by the working conditions at British Steel to come forward so that they too can join the group action and ensure they do not miss out on the justice they deserve.” Roger Maddocks - Partner

Kathryn Singh, Partner and expert in industrial illness claims at Hugh James, which is handling 229 Welsh claims, commented: “We see the decision as a hugely important step in seeking justice for workers and their families who may have lost loved ones. The admissions by Tata Steel are encouraging and demonstrate there is a case to be answered but there still remain a large number of issues yet to be determined. With so many former workers suffering from debilitating illnesses including lung and skin cancers, as well as respiratory diseases, there are undoubtedly more cases out there beyond those we are already aware of. 

“Now that the GLO has been approved, the case will be allocated to a judge who will set out the next steps required.  We would now urge anyone else who feels they were affected by the working conditions at coking plants in steelworks to come forward so their cases can be considered to join the group action before the group register closes and ensure they do not miss out on the justice they deserve. We hope that this group action will pave the way for redress for those whose lives have been severely affected.” 

Hugh James and Irwin Mitchell are also currently investigating several hundred similar claims for former British Coal employees and a Group Litigation Order was approved in 2015 for former workers affected by work-related illnesses who were employed by the company.

British Steel or its predecessors or successors in title (including Dorman Long), should call the specialist Coke Oven Worker helpline on 08081631297 before the deadline set by the Court. Alternatively visit our Coke Oven Workers Compensation page for more information.