The Coventry Homefire plant in Keresley produced a smokeless fuel between 1965 and 2000. The production process was not smokeless however, with workers at the plant being exposed to dust and fume every day. To date, former workers and the families of deceased Homefire plant workers have successfully claimed over £550,000.00 in compensation. If you or a deceased family member worked at the Homefire plant, you may also be able to claim for:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Chronic obstructive airways disease (COAD)
- Emphysema
- Chronic bronchitis
- Asthma
- Skin cancer
The process at the Homefire plant was similar to that carried out at British Coal’s Phurnacite plant in South Wales. The Phurnacite plant produced briquettes which were carbonised in ovens to produce a smokeless fuel. Specialist solicitors at Hugh James represented hundreds of ex Phurnacite workers and their families in the landmark Phurnacite litigation, in which the judge found that exposure to emissions at Phurnacite can cause respiratory disease and certain types of cancer. Most recently, Hugh James is representing the claims of coke oven workers and their families alleging that similar diseases were caused by exposure to coke oven emissions during the carbonisation of coal at British Coal coking plants across the UK.
Following the outcome of the Phurnacite and coke oven cases, former Homefire plant workers and their families may now be able to claim compensation for the same conditions against the same defendants. Employers have a duty to provide a safe workplace. If better ventilation and protective equipment had been provided, this may have prevented high levels of exposure to dust and fume at the Homefire plant.
The defendants have made a number of admissions in the litigation. In many ways, these admissions mirror the findings of the judge in the Phurnacite litigation.
Our specialist industrial disease solicitors represent victims and their families from all over the UK. We have over 10 years of experience in investigating respiratory disease and cancer claims relating to exposure to dust and fume at British Coal briquetting and carbonisation plants.
We have been contacted by over 100 former Homefire plant workers and their families. It is quick and easy to find out whether you may also be able to bring a claim. Simply call or complete our online enquiry form and you will be put in touch with our specialist solicitors. We offer advice and guidance while we investigate your claim without obligation to proceed. We hold drop-in sessions at venues in the Keresley and Bedworth area and can arrange home visits.
We offer:
- No win, no fee agreements
- An initial no obligation telephone consultation to discuss your case
- Consultations via phone, at our local “drop in” sessions or at home
We are here to help. If you have any questions whatsoever, please get in touch.