COMPENSATION AWARD

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18662, 23 March 1935, Page 4

COMPENSATION AWARD

WORKER'S LEG INJURY DECISION AT NAPIER (Special to the Iterate!.) NAPIER, this day. Decision was given yesterday iu the Arbitration Court on the claim of Herbert George Hooper, surfaceman. against the Waikohu County Council, for compensation in respect of a leg injury suffered in the course of his work! The case was part heard at Gisborne, where Mr J. S. Wauchop, instructed by Mr D. W. lies, appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr L. T. Burnarii tor the defendant council, the court adjourning the hearing to Napier to lake further medical evidence. In the course of the judgment, the court indicated its opinion that Hooper had suffered the injury complained ol iu the course of his employment, and that the effect, of the injury was tc Incapacitate him from continuing his work as a surfaceman on the road. Hif was not that of a man who coulc be described as an "odd lot" in the employment market, for his record of atisfactory employment with the coun eil proved that he was a good surfaceman, with reasonably good prospects or continued employment in that capacity, but for the effects of his injury. The court assessed the degree of permanent disability at 4~> per cent, and the average of weekly earnings, prior to injury, at £3 lis Od, including the value of cottage allowance. The remaining capacity of the plaintiff would enable him to undertake light work which would not affect, the use use of his knee, and on the possibility of improvement or worsening in the ondifion of the injured member, the court was unable to express an !ii'''>ion.

The terms of the award made by the court called for the payment of full compensation to plaintiff from February 6, 19.14, to March 22, 1935, based on weekly earnings of -£3 lis 9d; and ul are compensation on the basis of •Jo pei' cent disability during the oeriod of liability under the Workers' Compensation Act, payments to be increased or diminisneil on application to -the court. Costs amounting to £l2 12s were Allowed the plaintiff, together with witnesses' expenses and travelling expenses.