FREEZING WORKER INJURED

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25738, 25 February 1949, Page 10

FREEZING WORKER INJURED

CLAIM FOR DAMAGES A claim by Ernest Jones, a freezing worker, against Thomas Borthwick and Sons (A’asia.), Ltd., for £l5OO general damages and £ll5 14s special damages, was partly heard in the Supreme Court yesterday before Mr Justice Northcroft and a jury. The hearing will be continued to-day. Mr B. A. Barrer and Mr H. W. Thompson are appearing for plaintiff, and Mr A. W. Brown , and Mr W. K. L. DougaU for the defendant company. The statement of claim said that on Febiuary 18. 1948, while employed as a boner by the defendant company, the plaintiff suffered an injury to his hand when he was using a new form of “backing down.” knife; that the accident was caused by the negligence of the defendant by providing a knife which it knew was unsafe for the purpose and, having been warned of the danger, permitted the use of the knife; and that the plaintiff’s right hand was partly disabled and he could not continue his work as a boner. Counsel for the defendant said it was admitted that the plaintiff would not be able to continue as a boner. Several witnesses gave evidence in support of the plaintiff’s case. Mr Brown moved for a non-suit on the grounds that there was no evidence of negligence on the part of the defendant company and that the plaintiff had consented to run the risk of using the knife. His Honour reserved the point. Mr Brown said it was known that the plaintiff’s occupation was a hazardous one. He had elected to use the knife provided by the company and had used it for two years before the accident. The first witness for the defence was giving evidence when the Court adjourned.