Compensation Refused

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 128, 2 June 1936, Page 10

Compensation Refused

FREEZING WORKER’S INJURY NO LOSS OF EARNING POWER DUNEDIN, May 29. At a sitting of the Arbitration Court to-day a labourer, Robert Oliver, claimed £62 13s lOd compensation from the New Zealand Refrigerating Company, Limited, for disablement from work between February 28 and March 20, 1935, and the loss of the use joints of his left forefinger, as the result of a cut received during the course of his employmeut. Mr. Justice Page presided and Mr W. J. Mead appeared for plaintiff and Mr F. M. Hanan for defendant company.

In evidence plaintiff stated that after the accident he had resumed his former occupation at the same wage, but his fellow-worker had complained to him that his work was not done properly. This was because his finger had stiffened, and ho could not grip properly. He had not received any complaint about inefficiency from the foreman butcher. At the commencement of the present season he had applied for his old position, and was informed that he would be engaged when a vacancy arose. He had not waited for this, but had taken another position with the firm, penning sheep. His wages this year were slightly more than they had been over the same period last year, but wages had been higher. Medical evidence was given tnat plaintiff’s statement of tho condition of the finger was a fair one.

For the defence it was claimed that plaintiff had not suffered pecuniary loss and it was stated that tho company had no complaints to make about his

efficiency, and was willing to engage him at his old occupation.

Giving judgment for defendant company, His Honor said that;the evidence showed that there had been no loss of earning* power to the present date, and he had also decided that plaintiff was not entitled to a suspensory award, as it had not been shown tfiat in future he might not be able to earn approximately the same wages as he had done previously.