FACIAL INJURIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 November 1939, Page 7

FACIAL INJURIES

TRAM CONDUCTOR SECURES DAMAGES. JURY REDUCES AMOUNT CLAIMED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON.' This Day. Holding that he had received permanent disfigurement as lhe result ol lacerations to his cheek and nose when his tram, which was travelling .towarc. Island Bay on May 19. was struck b\ another from the rear. Cyril Frank Karsten, tram conductor, aged 23 claimed £5OO general damages unci’ £l3 2s 2d special damages from the Wellington City Corporation in the Supreme Court yesterday. The jury, after retiring for 25 minutes. awarded £lOO general damage: and the full special damages.

The Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers) presided. The corporation admitted that ncgligetice on the part of the motorman ol the second tram was responsible for the accident. In summing up, his Honour said he would not be surprised in the least it the jury thought that the amount claimed was not only excessive but grossly exorbitant. If he were assessing damages plaintiff would not ge anything like that. Plaintiff's ability tc earn a living had not been affected Facial disfigurement was different in ; woman, as it might affect her --.hole prospects in life, tn a man. if serious it might affect his chances of employment and advancement in life, but certainly not to the same extent.