COMPENSATION COURT

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24501, 26 February 1945, Page 6

COMPENSATION COURT

# ~ RESERVED JUDGMENT

“It may be explained that were I to hold that the plaintiff will not be disabled from doing heavy work—that he would be able to earn, say, £5 14s 3d a week—he would still be entitled to the maximum compensation,” said Mr Justice O’Regan in giving reserved judgment in a claim before the Compensation Court made by Edwin Herbert Dahren against the Westport Coal Company, Ltd., of Dunedin. “The explanation is that in that event the period of liability would be extended to its full limit,'' continued his Honour, “and, though the weekly payments would be less, the amount would be maintained owing to the Increased number of them. Nevertheless I think it beyond. question that the plaintiff will never engage in heavy labour again, and hence that £3 a week, having regard, to all the circumstances, is probably the correct estimate. Accordingly the amount of compensation payable Is:—118 weekly payments of £4 10s, accrued. £531; 111 I ,*) weekly payments of £4 4s 2d, commuted, £444 19s 2d; total. £975 I9s 2d- From the foregoing will be deducted weekly payments of £4 10s for 118 weeks.” -The hearing, which was commenced in Westport, was concluded in Christchurch on February. 16 when judgment was reserved Dahren was injured by a fall of coal when employed at the Mlllerton mine on November 13, 1942. ■