Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic Bronchitis results from excessive production of mucous in the bronchi (the main airways in the lungs). It can be caused by smoking and exposure to coal mine dust.
Emphysema Emphysema can be caused by smoking and exposure to coal mine dust and results in breathlessness and exertion.
Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease (COAD) COAD is a term often applied to patients who have chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema in varying proportions. It refers to the situation in which there is a narrowing of the airways in the lungs resulting in breathlessness on exertion. It can be caused by smoking and exposure to coal mine dust.
Asthma Asthma is a condition in which there is a narrowing of the airways which varies in severity from time to time leading to breathlessness which varies in severity at different times. Many people suffer from asthma for which no external cause can be identified although in some cases it can be caused by exposure to dust, fumes etc. encountered at work. Coal mine dust is not at present recognised to cause asthma. However, coal mine dust and fumes from shot firing can make worse the symptoms of constitutional asthma.
Pneumoconiosis Pneumoconiosis is caused by coal mine dust and is detected by chest x-ray. When mild it does not usually impair the function of the lungs or cause breathlessness but when more advanced it may do so. It may occur on its own or it may be accompanied by chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. Emphysema is often the cause of breathlessness in men who have pneumoconiosis. The DSS medical boards will not usually diagnose pneumoconiosis at its early stage (Category 1 on the Chest x-ray) and so men who have been told by their General Practitioner or hospital doctor that their x-rays show pneumoconiosis are often told by the DSS medical board that they do not have the condition which may lead to confusion. Recent British Coal Court Decision The trial assessed the case of eight men - five from Wales, one from Yorkshire, one from Durham and one from Nottinghamshire. The Judge decided that:-
1. from nationalisation in 1947 onwards the National Coal Board (later British Coal Corporation) was negligent in failing to
reduce dust levels so as to avoid the risk of injury to the workforce. 2. these failures were at national, area and pit levels 3. chronic bronchitis and emphysema can be caused by dust. 4. six out of eight men had illnesses caused by dust and received compensation This was a very important victory because British Coal Corporation had previously always denied liability for these conditions. What You Should Do. If you:-
1. have worked for the NCB/BCC for at least 15 months after the 4th June 1954; and 2. have worked underground; and 3. think you may have chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma or pneumoconiosis; then you should take advice about making a claim immediately.
Coal Mine Dust Claims
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