COMPENSATION CLAIM

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 19, 17 October 1942, Page 9

COMPENSATION CLAIM

As the result of injuries received while unloading cargo from a vessel at a Wellington wharf on November !), 1940, George Morris, watersider, claimed compensation from the New Zealand Shipping Co., Ltd., in the Compensation Court, Wellington, yesterday. The statement of claim set out that us a result of the accident the end joint of the middle linger of his left hand was amputated, and lie was thereby not able to return to his employment till January 12, 1942. Plaintiff had received from defendant company weekly compensation from tiie date uf the accident till December 8, 1941, at the rate of £4/7/3 a week, and had not. received-tiny further compensation. lie claimed compensation at the rate of £4/7/3 a week from Decwiiber 8, 1941, to January 12, 1942; compensation ill respect of the loss of the joint, of the finger, £1 medical expenses, the costs of the action, and such further or other relief ns the Court might deem him entitled to receive. The statement of defence admitted that the joint of plaintiff’s linger was amputated, but denied (hat he was not able to return to his employment till January 12, 1942, and said that plaintiff did in fact return to his employment, and between December’ 8, 1.941, up to which date lie received compensation, and January 12, 1942, lie had earned £52 at his employment. It was admitted that plaintiff was paid compensation only to December 8, 1941, but said that on December 5, 1941, plaintiff consented upon the advice of his own medical adviser, to have his compensation ended ns front December 8, 1941, and an order was made accordingly in the Magistrate’s Court, Wellington.

Dr. O. C. Mazengarb appeared for plaintiff anti Mr. W. E. Leicester for defendant company. Mr. Leicester said ilitil not till that morning had defendant company been advised that plaintiff had not been employed from April 15 to May 28. After hearing the evidence of plaintiff, Mr. Justice OTtegnn adjourned the ease to allow plaintiff to amend his statement of claim.