CRUSHED BY PAPER BALE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1019, 9 July 1930, Page 10

CRUSHED BY PAPER BALE

WATERSIDER SEEKS COMPENSATION FOR INJURED ARM ACCIDENT ON MATAROA His right arm having been crushed on a stanchion by a 12cwt. bale of paper striking the limb, when he was engaged in unloading the steamer Mataroa on December 19. 1929, a watersider, William Frank Whiting, sued the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, Ltd., for compensation, in the Arbitration Court today.

The only point at issue was the degree of injury, the facts of the accident being agreed upon. The accident occurred at Queen’s Wharf, Whiting being engaged on the lower hatch of Xo. 1 hold. When a sling-load was swinging Whiting, in endeavouring to get out of the way, put his arm on the stanchion, when the sling swung against the limb, crushing and breaking it at the elbow

Whiting claimed he had been disabled from that date, and that he was permanently partially disabled. The company paid Weekly compensation at the rate of £3 8s 6d to May 29. Further compensation at the same rate up to date -was sought, together with further reasonable relief. Air. Sullivan appeared for the plaintiff and Mr. Bagnall for the defendant. Evidence of the limitation of the movement of the arm since the accident was given by medical men, who held that the injury would handicap Whiting in undertaking heavy work or working in a confined space. They agreed that the permanent disability of the arm was approximately 30 per cent. The medical witnesses for the defence contended that the reduction in the extension of the arm was only 15 per cent., that there would be no permanent loss of earning power and that Whiting was fit to resume work at any time.

Mr. Justice Frazer said the court was not satisfied that there would be any permanent loss of earning power. Compensation was awarded to date and for a further three months on the basis that plaintiff was suffering from neurasthenia arising from his injuries.