WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2895, 8 September 1909, Page 17

WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

" ' 'Atf UNUSUAL CLAIM: ' WELLINGTON, September 2. In the Arbitration Court to-day the widow and family of Robert Robinson, carpenter, of Wellington, , deceased, jrougbt.aciaim^uridet_tho Workers*. Compensation for Accidents Act against Messrs Campbell and Burke, contractors', of Wellington. The facts were of a somewhat unusual character On the 26th of October last Robinson was working as a carpenter for respondents, and while engaged in his ordinary duties fell from a scaffold and injured a. hip. He became almost well except for a little stiffness, according to the pleadings, and decided, with the permission of his medical adviser (Dr Cahill) to go to Rangiora for a change. While there he contracted influenza and pneumonia, and died on January 8 of this year. Respondents denied that Robinson's death was due to the accident. His Honor Mr Justice Sim and Mr J, M'Cullough vime, on the Bench. ' It was agreed to hear the evidence, and reserve tha decision till the court is properly constituted. The only point at issue was whether deafh was due to the acoident on to some cause not connected with it. Dr Wills, of Rangiora, who attended the deceased pnor to his death, said that tlio first time he had examined deceased he found him suffering from influenza, with gastric symptoms. fl« was called in a. second time, but did not think he had heard about the accident on either of these occasions. When he learned of the accident witness examined the hip and leg. He would no'v swear that it was the same size as the other limb, or that ti»ers was r.ot a tinge of discolouration, but nothing more. He felt the hip and leg, but the patient evinced no signs of discomfort, although the handling was exceptionally severe. On January 4 he found the right knee in a condition exactly the same as that known as " housemaid's knee.** There was also a slight swelling on the left foot To the best of bis knowledge he had never told deceased's relatives th»B Robinson had blood poisoning. Witness gave deceased medioine, which would have done him good ;f; f he were suffering from blod poisoning, but would do him no harm if such were not the case. On the second day witness found that the patient's lungs were affected. He- had never stated that he did not understand the case. Death was due to bronchial pneumonia, supervening on influenza, but the injury to the hip had no connection with this. Dr Cahill, Dr James, Dr Martin, and Dr Ewart gave evidence that the symptoms were consistent with pyasmia, a form of blood poisoning. Foi the defence, Dr Faulke said he. did aot think it was a case of pyjemia. Dr Giesen did not think death was con* neeted with the injury to the hip

Blood poison resulting from small woun<fe s becoming more prevalent." Even so 6lig<ht in injury as the scratch of a pin will 6ome-im-es cause blood poisoning Tho safe way s to apply Chanibprlain's Pain Balm a* oon as the injury has been received. That iniment prevents all danger of blood' XHroninjr, and cause* the injury to heal n about one-third fhe time lcquired by the foual treatment For sale everywhere.