LOSS OF A FINGER

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 117, 20 May 1930, Page 11

LOSS OF A FINGER

A CLAIM SUCCEEDS

The loss of a finger by Janies Jepson, a waterside worker, was the basis of an action in the Supreme Court today, when Jepson claimed £250 general damages from the Union Steam Ship Co. On 6th June, 1929, Jepson was engaged in loading sacks of oats alongside the Maungnnui. One sling was made up some distance from the ship's side, and while Jepson was steadying it preparatory to it being lifted, .his finger became caught in tho tackle. The finger was squeezed, and it was found necessary to amputate it. He alleged negligence on the part of the defendant company in that during the hoisting the weight was taken too suddenly by the winchinan, and that it was taken on the midships gear instead of on the yard-arm gear. ' Several witnesses gave evidence foithe plaintiff. The negligence.was denied by the defendant company, on whose behalf evidence was given by the winehman, who said that he did not remember the sacks. going, up on the midships gear. The weight, went up on the yard-arm gear too quickly accidentally as the tackle was stiff. , In giving judgment, his Honour, Mr. Justice Ostler, said that in his opinion there was negligence on the part of the1 winehman. Was that negligence the cause of the accident? It seemed to him clearly that it was. The plaintiff was awarded £175 general damages, £13 12s hospital oxpenses, and £26 loss of earnings. It was stated during the 'hearing of the ■ case that Jepson had received £3 8s 5d a week for twenty-six weeks in compensation. '