ACCIDENT ON LINKS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 21, 20 October 1943, Page 8

ACCIDENT ON LINKS

Greenkeeper Awarded £2096 Damages

A jury of 12 in the Supreme Court, Wellington, yesterday awarded Robert Dinton, greenkeeper to the Shandon Golf Club £346/7/6 special damages and £1750 general damages against the club 'as compensation for an accident he suffered on November 25, 1942, while in the employ of the club. Dr. O. C. Mazengarb, who appeared for plaintiff, said the accident occurred while a motor truck was being coupled to the lawnmowers. The truck was driven by Miss E. M. McFarlane, and while it was backing on to the lawnmowers it went too. far, and severely injured plaintiff's leg, the main artery of which was severed. As a result of the accident, plaintiff was in Wellington Hospital for four months, and then had to attend as an outpatient for several months. Though he had been paid £4/10/- a week as workers’ compensation. he claimed the difference between this amount and his ordinary wages, which came to £237/7/-. He also claimed £lO9 hospital expenses, and £1750 for pain and suffering and future loss.

Mr..T. P. Cleary appeared for defendant club, which claimed that plaintiff, as greenkeeper, was in charge of the operations, and had also been negligent in attempting to do the coupling on-a slope.

The jury took 51 minutes to arrive at their verdict

The case was heard by the Chief Justice (.Sir Michael Myers.)