Sheffield steelworkers exposed to harmful dust and fumes at British Steel coke plants set to receive payouts

In 2017, a High Court action was brought against British Steel on behalf of hundreds of UK coke oven workers who went on to develop life-limiting respiratory and skin diseases.

At the time, more than 40 Sheffield steelworkers went in on the lawsuit, with some cases going as far back as the 1940s.

Now, a settlement scheme has been approved by the High Court to give payouts to claimants and close the case, known as the British Steel Coke Oven Workers Litigation.

The number of eligible claimants in Sheffield, or how much they are entitled to, is undisclosed at this time.

A spokesperson for law firm Irwin Mitchell, which represented the claimants along with firm Hugh James, said: “The scheme will seek to swiftly and amicably resolve claims providing qualifying claimants with a settlement which reflects the pain, suffering and loss caused by the former workers’ illnesses.”

Speaking in 2017, Roger Maddocks, a partner and expert industrial illness lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: "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."