| Description | Date of birth:
Marital status: Married
Address: 66 Market Street, South Normanton
Type of benefit claimed: Industrial injury benefit
Type of injury: Pneumoconiosis
Further information: The claimant was examined by a Medical Board on 6 July 1956 which decided that 'a loss of faculty has resulted from the prescribed disease known as pneumoconiosis.' It was assessed at 20 per cent from 2 August 1956 to 1 August 1958 and a disablement pension was awarded at 13/6d a week until 5 August 1958. There is a large amount of correspondence between the Compensation Agent, the claimant and the NUM representative. There are details of wages attached to the Appeal referral, as is a statement from the claimant outlining details of the disease; 'I don't want this pneumoconiosis, and did not ask for it. Its a very annoying and irritating complaint.' The claimant's grounds of appeal dated 14 August 1958 state 'I am a very disappointed and disgusted man at you giving a reduction of 14/-d in hardship allowance, at a time when everyone knows we pit top workers are very low paid[...]I am a law abiding citizen and only want fair play.' The tribunal was due to be heard on 16 September 1958 but this was adjourned for further evidence about overtime. Following a letter dated 21 October from the Compensation Agent, a letter from the claimant outlines his dissatisfaction with working conditions and the procedures. The nature of overtime in the case of Belt men is explained in a letter dated 27 October 1958. There is also details of a previous accident the claimant had to his knee in 1955. The final tribunal date was set for 4 November 1958 where they found in favour, on the grounds that 'claimant should be treated as if his regular occupation was that of coal face worker. |