COMPENSATION CLAIMS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29317, 23 September 1960, Page 16

COMPENSATION CLAIMS

Bill To Widen Scope

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, Sept 22. When an accident happens to a worker travelling directly between his place of employment and premises, other than a residence, to which be has right of access by virtue of his employment, he will be ccAered by workers’ compensation. This is the principal provision of a Workers’ Compensation Amendment Bill introduced in the House of Representatives today. The bill is the result of the decision of the Court in two cases, where it was decided that workers who met with an accident while returning from the ship where they had been working to a change room provided by their employers, were not in the course of their employment. Another clause in the bill enables the Court to award compensation for hernia where it is satisfied that the hernia resulted from an accident arising out of the worker’s employment, notwithstanding that all the conditions prescribed by the principal act. relating to claims arising from a hernia, have not been met completely. Th bill increases the salary of the Judge of the Compensation Court from £2750 a year to £3500. but as long as the present Judge continues to hold that office his salary, at present £3250, is to be £4OOO. The principal act provides that the Workers’ Compensation Board may imptfee an extra charge on the premium payable by an employer whose business is so designed, equipped. Organised or conducted that the number or cost of accidents to workers is likely to be greater than usual. The bill provides that where the board Imposes thia extra charge, the insurer must charge the maximum rate, plus the extra charged by the board.