Phurnacite

Group Action trial concludes

Having been appointed by the High Court, Hugh James solicitors represented hundreds of ex workers, and families of ex workers, of the Phurnacite Plant in Abercwmboi in Rhondda Cynon Taff in South Wales to bring a group action claim in the High Court against the Department of Energy and Climate Change for alleged respiratory disease and cancer claims from the former employees.  The trial concluded on the 21 December 2011 and judgment is expected in 2012.

The Phurnacite hearing began on the 17 October 2011 in Cardiff. The initial three weeks of the trial were held in Cardiff before transferring to Royal Courts of Justice in London for the remainder of the trial where expert witnesses were called to the trial. 

Phurnacite Plant

For over 50 years the Plant in Abercwmboi produced smokeless fuel briquettes by crushing coal and mixing it with pitch. Prior to its closure in 1991 the Plant employed up to 1,200 men. 

Compensation & liability

At the time of operation British Coal and National Smokeless Fuels Limited were the managers of the Plant. The claimants allege that working at the Phurnacite Plant caused them to suffer lung, skin and bladder cancer as well as respiratory disease. The basis of the group action which we are leading is that it is alleged British Coal failed to  provide the necessary protection for the workers from the potentially serious health risks from being exposed to the fumes at the Plant and the inhalation of dust and fumes.  Furthermore it is alleged that when protection was provided it was too late and inadequate.  The Department of Energy and Climate Change, which has liability for British Coal, is opposing the claim.

The claim is brought by former workers and the families of former workers who are claiming for general damages and also special damages.

Hugh James industrial disease experience

Hugh James have been advising and representing workers in industrial disease claims such as respiratory disease and vibration white finger for over 20 years. We are leaders in our field. We were involved in the original test cases for the chest disease and the vibration white finger claims, resulting in the Government paying out many millions of pounds in compensation to thousands of sick and injured miners.    

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