VALUE OF A THUMB

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16895, 27 November 1925, Page 2

VALUE OF A THUMB

- CLAIM BY A LABORER. In the Arbitration Cdiirt at-. Christdhurch, John Alexander Bieitmeyer, laborer, claimed cblnpensatioh ffoin W. IT. Sims and Son. Ltd., for disabilities to his thumb caused by getting a splinter into it whilo wolking at fl farm owned by the defendant contphhy ai Hal swell. The plaintiff claimed that he had lost the use of the thumb and that- the grip of the. hand and fingers had been permanently affected. He claimed that he hnd been totally incapacitated from February 13. 1925, that the incapacity would remain until December, after which his earning power would he permanently reduced . . ... A medical man said that the. top joint of the thumb was riot movable, and the muscles of the lower part were affected slightly. Ho estimated that with judicious treatment thp wastage of the muscles would be restored wholly in three 'month?. Anhthcir doctor said that claimant had lest the. power to encircle completely by the aid of the thumb unv object he wished to grip. He had lost, only the one movement. Ho estimated the loss at 10 per cent, of permanent disability. The combined disability of scar and wasting he assessed at- 5 per cent, for three months. This would give him 15 per cent, for throb months, and 10 per cent, thereafter. , r , The president of the Court,.Mr Justice Ffh.xer. said that the company had offered 13 nor cent, to the defahdant and tho Court‘did not feel disposed to increase that. For partial incapacity apart, from the 13 nor cent, disability, the Court would allow 20 per cent, of full compensation for four months. Costs £7 7s, with medical expenses, were allowed.