COMPENSATION COURT

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29238, 23 June 1960, Page 3

COMPENSATION COURT

Claim For Injuries

To Back

Evidence that a fall might have aggravated physical and emotional disabilities suffered by a Polish national in a German concentration camp, during World War 11, was given by a doctor in the Compensation Court yesterday. Plaintiff in the case was Antoni Przechecki, aged 52, a married man, with three children (Mr R. A. Barrer), who claimed compensation from the Fletcher Construction Company, Ltd. (Mr R. P. Thompson).

Judge Dalglish presided. It was the last case to be heard by the Court, in its present Christchurch sitting. Only part of the evidence was heard, and the judge made an order for the rest to be recorded before the deputyregistrar. This will be submitted to him later, with counsel’s written submissions.

Przechecki claimed that while working for the company on October 16, 1958. he had fallen six or seven feet from scaffolding, injuring his back. He said he went off work then and drew compensation at. the rate of £ll 9s a week until May 11, 1959, when it was ‘‘unlawfully stopped” by the company’s agents. Since then, he had drawn social security except for a short period when he took up another job. He left this job because of back and head pains. As a result of the accident, he claimed, he had suffered a temporary total incapacity from which he was still suffering complicated by a state of anxiety neurosis.

Przechecki claimed double compensation from May 11 to yesterday, three months’ full compensation, costs, and any other relief thought just by the Court. Dr. D. J. Dobson said he thought the accident had aggravated previous back trouble and emotional instability. He said he knew that earlier Przechecki had claimed compensation from the German government for injuries suffered in a concentration camp. These included a bayonet wound in the neck, a broken finger, a broken nose and the resulting sinus, rheumatism in the back, and blurring of vision in the left eye.

Earlier Przechecki had told the Court he did not think that claim would be successful. “Germany like a fox,” he added. Rex Blunden, an orthopaedic surgeon, said he examined Przechecki on three occasions. The first two examinations had revealed an apparent tenderness in the back. After an examination yesterday he had formed the opinion that Przechecki might still have some back pains, but his condition was overshadowed by anxiety state. He considered this condition was probably related to the accident. Mr Blunden said he could see no reason why Przechecki could not take up some form of light work.