Workmen's Compensation.

Progress, Volume III, Issue 9, 1 July 1908, Page 315

Workmen's Compensation.

The suspension of the I,aing works oi which the cables were so full a few weeks ago, has given rise to some curious questions affecting the position of workmen having claims for compensation. This arises from the fact that there are sundry claims to be shortly tried in the Sunderland County Court. It is pointed out that the insurance companies when they have to answer the claims against the employer direct, on the employer's insolvency, can contest the claims from the beginning, and such defence as was open to the employer is open to the insurance company. If the amount of the policy is less than the workman's claim, the workman must fall back for the balance on the employer's estate as an ordinary creditor, but to the extent of £100 he has preference over all creditors by the law of England. Should an insurance company become insolvent, the workmen's claim reverts to the employer just as if he had not insured at all. It is evident that there are some pretty problems awaiting development out of this rather tremendous bankruptcy. The chief point of interest seems to be centred in the fact that hitherto in ordinary cases employers relying on their insurance never contested cases leaving the companies to pay ; while the companies, in order to popularise business of accident insurance, never looked too closely at things. The fact that there is resistance in this bankruptcy case is of interest wherever the practice of insurance has been supposed to have solved the problem of the workman's claims.

The largest percentage of organised workers is found in Denmark. Half of the popiilation is unionised. Sweden is a close second. a\ ith Germany next.