Thousands of ex-miners were last night calling special helplines for advice on how to claim compensation for chest illnesses after legal history was made in a ruling likely to cost the British taxpayer more than £1 billion.
A landmark ruling in the High Court could lead to compensation for more than 100,000 former pit workers whose health was ruined by inhaling dust. Thousands of miners have died of chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Mr Justice Turner said the six cases he accepted were the "tip of the iceberg" as he announced awards for pain and suffering ranging from £3,200 to £10,500. Higher awards for special damages such as loss of earnings and medical care are expected in the six cases at a hearing next month.
The judge, who strongly criticised the system used by British Coal for monitoring dust levels underground, rejected claims from two miners because of failure to provide a link between their illness and coal dust.
Solicitors said the ruling had made legal history and would now "open the floodgates" for claims which could start to be paid out within months.
Special helplines set up to give medical and legal advice to miners were inundated with calls after the judgment was made.
The government, which will pick up the bill for compensation, immediately announced that talks will be held with miners' solicitors next month to deal with claims.
Energy Minister Mr John Battle said: "We have a duty to deal promptly with valid claims that stem from British Coal's previous activities and actions over many years."
The court ruling came after a hearing which began in October 1996 and ran for most of 1997.
The judge said damages were apportioned taking into account the individual miner's smoking habits and exposure to dust. He found that the former nationalised industry was negligent in its operation of coal mines.
Mr Justice Turner rejected medical findings that lung disease in miners was caused by cigarette smoking alone and had nothing to do with dust.