ACCIDENT AT OTAKI.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 27 May 1935, Page 3

ACCIDENT AT OTAKI.

- £2BO. DAMAGES ALLOWED. . At the Otakl S.M. Court Thursday Mrs. Lily Sell (Mr. Rhodes) claimed the sum of £3OO from Eric J. Jensen and Harold R. B. Hanlon (Mr. Eellings) due to injuries owing to a recent collision, when Mr. M. Baker's taxi and Mr. Jensen's lorry •came into collision at Moutere Hospital corner.

Dr. MiLne stated that he saw Nurse Sell on the 29th November—just after th© accident had happened. She was carried into the Moutere .Hospital with wounds on the left side of the head and another above the right eyebrow. She was unconscious and suffering from concussion of the brain. Nurs ft Sell complained later of other pains. She was /in hospital till. December 7th. General medical treatment w r as given. She suffered from various pains during th© first eight days, and showed symptoms of irritation of the brain during that time. She had severe headaches, pains in the back of the neck, etc. She regained consciousness some time later. For some clays she was very delirious. Being anxious about her condition he called in Dr. Francis and Dr. Atmore. As a result of the consultation they feared compression of the brain and internal bleeding/but there was found to be no internal bleeding, neither did she suffer from compression, only concussion. He decided to send Nurse Sell to Palmerston North for X-ray. During the first eight days she was not fit to be removed, later she was removed to Palmerston North by the ambulance. No sign of fracture was shown as th e result of the X-ray. Nurse Sell was in Palmerston till the 23rd December; she then came back to Moutere Hospital, Palmerston hospital stating they could do no more for her. She still complained of headaches. On returning from Palmerston she was in Moutere -Hospital for some time, gradually improving. She was in Moutere Hospital till January 19th. At this time stie was not lit to work and she was sent to her brother's place to rest. She still complained of pains and he advised her to go to a doctor in Hastings. He saw her again in March and examined her. Ho found her still unlit for work; she was still weak and complained of giddiness, besides she could not sleep too well. This, "lie considered, was due to the accident. He finally certified that sh e was fit to resume duties on Ist April. He had seen

her since from time to time, and from casual observance she appeared alright. It was quite possible that she still suffered from insomnia and giddiness. To Mr. Rollings: In my opinion Nurse Sell was fit to start work on Ist April. When able to start work her position was not available on account of, re-organisation. Nurse Sell was in Moutere Hospital for about 37 days. When she returned from Palmerston North he 'considered her unfit to resume duties. In the early stages he 'was almost in constant attendance on her. To Mr. Rhodes: Nurse Sell returned to Moutere at her own request. She had no wish to go to Palmerston in) the first place. If she so desired she could have gone to Hanmer, but as she did not go this saved considerable expense. Ernest William Gieson, medical practitioner of Wellington, stated that he examined Nurse Sell on April 23rd. Wounds, 'etc., had by this time disappeared, but she got giddy at times, and had difficulty with her sleep. She had to all intents and purposes recovered and, was fit to return to work. Could she have resumed work earlier it might have had a beneficial effect. To" Mr. Rhodes: Any person who has had concussion may suffer for some time afterwards. Lily Sell, Plunket Nurse, stated: I am a widow and reside at Wadestown. I was in a collision in November last but I do not remember the actual accident. I first remembered being attended by ;Dr." Francis at Mo liter.'; Hospital. I was there several dayl, but remembered nothing of a portion ..of that period. She scarcely remembered going away to the Palmerston hospital. After she' left the Palmerston North hospital she returned to Otaki. She " v/as in Moutere after her return for some time. She felt very vrouh, and suffered from pains in the back of her head and insomnia. She went to Hastings for* a change but failed to sleep, and suffered from headaches, pains in her arms, and could not sleep. The symptoms at Hastings seemed to be more intense for a time. She wrote to Dr. Milne and he advised her to consult Dr. Moeller, who advised massage. As a result she benefited. She was told she could resume duties on Ist April, but she was J-ot really fit. She was anxious to start work but did not feel up to it. Certain .positions were open at Gisborne, north of Auckland, Wellington, and in the South Island. She was still far from well, having neurities, giddy turns, and inl Samnia, and pains in the head. She had none of these complaints prior to the accident. To Mr. Rellings: I remembered practically nothing for the first eight or nin e days after the accident. I was ' conscious most of the time I was in Palmerston North and remember the X-ray I still have my car, and used it when on duty. I drove it partly to Wellington about, five . weeks ago. After I came from Palmerston it was my wish to return to Moutere Hospital for- further treatment. I hope, to take ut) a position as Plunket Nurse in June", when a position will be available. Robert S. R. Francis, medical superintendent at the ' Otaki Sanatorium, stated that he was called by Dr. Milne in connection with the accident. (Here

followed evidence on similar lines given by Dr. Milne). Mr. Rollings stated liability was admitted and thait it was for the S.M., to assess damages. He thought that loss of wages asked for while in hospital, should not bo allowed, as rent, etc., was being saved. The Hospital Board 'y account could not be disputed, but ho considered the private hospital account should not be allowed in full as firstclass treatment could bu obtained at public hospitals for less charge. His sympathy was with Nurse- Sell but damages should be assessed on a reasonable basis. Mr. Rhodes stated that Nurse Sell was not there of her own desire. He considered she had a perfect right to go to any hospital she desired, and added that had she gone to Haniuer expenses would have been much greater. Damages would not compensate Nurse Sell for her injures, and h e therefore asked for the full amount claimed which was not, he maintained, unreasonable. The S.M. gave judgment for £2BO, costs £2 2s (Drs. Milne and Francis), 15s (Nurse Sell), £4 3s (Court -losts) and £ls (solicitor).