GIRL'S ALLEGED HYSTERIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23593, 1 September 1938, Page 12

GIRL'S ALLEGED HYSTERIA

FIVE SPECIALISTS DECEIVED WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIM (From Our Own Correspondent) SYDNEY, Aug. 19. Allegations that a girl, aged 15, had deceived five medical specialists and her solicitors and counsel concerning her claim for workers' compensation were made before the Workers' Compensation Commission. It was stated that the girl, who had three days earlier been awarded 13s 6d a week for total incapacitation resulting from injuries received while employed by the Commonwealth Weaving Mills Pty., Ltd., had for months been doing strenuous work, at higher wages than those which she had received at the mills. The allegations were made during the hearing of an application for a stay of proceedings in an award made by Judge Lamond in favour of Joan Carnell, 15, who had claimed that her incapacitation was caused by hysteria arising from tetanus. Counsel for the mills said that the day after the award was made fresh evidence had been discovered by the respondents, and he did not think it could be said now that the award could stand. "Immediately Judge Lamond returns from the country, an application will be made by me to have the matter re-opened for the purpose of cross-examina-tion, and for the purpose of calling further evidence," he said. " In place of being totally incapacitated, as alleged, and as found by Judge Lamond, we have proof that for months past, the girl has been working at increased wages, at strenuous work, using, on a pedal machine, the leg of which she complained so much in the other court. As soon as we learned of this new matter we informed counsel for the applicant so that he might have an opportunity of checking it." The girl's counsel said that he wished to join in making the application. "Respondent's counsel advised me of certain things, and in an endeavour to confirm the information I visited the girl's home. The information was correct," he said. "The amazing thing is that at the time she was working she saw five specialists, including three well-known psychiatrists, and deceived them all. She saw two physicians, whose reputation and standing are so well known that it is amazing that she should have got past them Another distressing feature is that the mother was in court during the whole of the proceedings, and heard the gin cross-ex-amined on her capacity She heard the girl say that she simply sat about all day, and made no demur. We hasten to assure the commission that we will co-operate to see justice done in this case. We do not wish any benefits that have been brought about by any suggestion of malpractice to be retained. When I tell you that she deceived five specialists, it can be understood that a mere advocate and his solicitor could easily be deceived."

Counsel said that a hospital doctor had diagnosed the complaint as tetanus, and it was upon that complaint that the case was fought. "Hysteria was subsequently developed," said counsel, "and after leaving the hospital she spent some months in a mental intsitution, where the symptoms were so pronounced that at times, when not restrained, she caused herself damage by violence." A stay of proceedings was granted.