Thompsons' fees reach 20m for sick miners' cases

National trade union firm Thompsons has been paid 8.4 million in costs in just 14 weeks for dealing with miners' cases involving chronic bronchitis and emphysema, it emerged recently in Parliament.

Thompsons has been paid 19.2 million, compared with 10.8 million in late March (see [2002] Gazette, 11 April, 4).

Welsh firm Hugh James' earnings rose 2.7 million in the same period, to 10.7 million.

Wakefield firm Towells is now in the list of the top ten firms representing the most claimants, having received 2.5 million in costs, placing it seventh.

London firm OH Parsons has also entered the list at tenth, with 1.3 million.

Costs paid since March for vibration white finger cases have increased much more slowly.

Thompsons heads that table too, with 6.3 million in costs, compared to 6 million in March.