LOSS OF AN EYE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 230, 28 September 1928, Page 9

LOSS OF AN EYE.

ITS INDUSTRIAL VALUE.

COMPENSATION SOUGHT.

MOTOR DRIVER'S CLAIM.

That he had lost his right eye through an accidental injury suffered while employed by the Auckland Bottle Company, Ltd., in January, 1928, was the submission made by Leonard Ernest Verrella, in the Arbitration Court yesterday afternoon, when claiming compensation amounting to £416, medical expenses and other reasonable relief

from his employers. Mr. F. L. G. West defended the action for the Bottle Company, while Mr. T. J. Fleming supported the application.

Plaintiff, who was engaged as a motor driver, earned on the average £4 10/'O a week. It was admitted that compensation had been paid him from February G to March 6 last.

The defence admitted the accident, and the removal of the eye. but denied its removal was rendered necessary os a result of the injury. It was submitted that for many years prior to the inccident the eve was useless

Evidence for plaintiff showed that while claimant had met with an accident to his eye when a child, after an operation he was left with a certain amount of vision.

After hearing evidence, Mr. Justice Fra7.er said they must regard tlie eye that plaintiff had lost as not bein? industrially useful. There uns no evidence to show that plaintiff's earning capacity had been lessened, hut he could not be classed in efficiency with a man who had the use of two eyes. The present was a ea=e in which a small sum could be awarded, and the Court aceord:nfrly had decided to fix the compenso- ♦ ion at £.")0.