POST MORTEM IMPORTANCE

Evening Star, Issue 24004, 1 October 1941, Page 6

POST MORTEM IMPORTANCE

CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 30. “ Eor obvious reasons an inquest is advisable nowadays in every case of this class,” said Mr Justice O’llegan 5u the _ Compensation Court to-day, when giving judgment in a case in which Sarah Jane Leask, a widow, of Palmerston North, claimed compensation from the Palmerston North Power Board for the death of her husband. While working on a punt in the Manawatu River the deceased was obliged to exert himself very severely in starting the engine. Subsequently he complained of feeling unwell, and died live days later, although in the meantime he had continued working. There was a conflict of medical 6‘videnc» over the question of the state of the deceased’s health before he unduly exerted himself, and a post mortem examination, the judge said, would have placed the matter beyond doubt. In the circumstances ho had no alternative but to nonsuit the plaintiff. He had previously said it was evident that the widow was so overcome by grief at her husband’s death that she did not think of claiming compensation until some days after, and that an inquest was desirable did not occur to the doctor, who certified that death was due to heart disease, presumably because his opinion about the possibility of recovering compensation was not asked until after the interment. “ I am blaming no one,” His Honour added. “ but most certainly it would bo well if everyone concerned—the relatives, doctors, union secretaries, magistrates, and coroners—realised the importance of a post mortem examination and an inquest in every case where there might possibly be a claim for compensation.”