COMPENSATION LAW

Evening Post, Issue 82, 6 April 1936, Page 11

COMPENSATION LAW

SUGGESTED AMENDMENTS

REMITS FOR DISCUSSION

A remit proposing amendments to the Workers' Compensation Act, 1922, is to be moved by Mr. P. J. O'Regan, of Wellington, at the Dominion legal conference at Dunedin this month. The remit on this subject is as follows: —

That it be a recommendation from this conference to the Government that any amendments to the Workers' Compensation Act should include the following provisions:— 1. That insurance against the liability in-respect of injury by accident be made compulsory.

2. That the provisions of section 63 of the statute be extended to include such work as the fencing and draining of land, the cutting of firewood and fencing material, and generally any farming work done by contract.

3. That in every case where the employer pays travelling time, or though not paying travelling time provides the means of conveying workers to and from work, compensation should be payable in respect of accidents .happening to workers in transit. f 4. That provision be made for the payment in non-fatal cases of a reasonable amount by way of hospital and medical expenses. . 5. That the defence of common employment be altogether abolished. DEATHS BY ACCIDENTS. Another remit,- this one dealing with the Deaths by Accidents Compensation Act, 1908, is also to be moved by Mr. O'Regan. He is to move: That it be a recommendation from this conference to the Government that the Deaths by Accidents Compensation Act, 1908, be amended as follows: — 1. That damages be made recoverable in every case where the deceased himself would have had a right of action had he survived the injury.

2. That medical and funeral expenses be recoverable as special damages. 3, That where the deceased had a policy of insurance, any moneys coming thereunder to the plaintiff should not abate the liability of the defendant.