Christopher Patterson

Durham Miners' Association
Compensation Committee

1041. Shotton. Christopher Patterson, 41, attendant at washery.

Died on July 27th, 1918, as the result of injuries alleged to have been received on July 24th, 1918, when it is stated he was struck in the abdomen by a shovel through the door of a truck opening unexpectedly. Dr Spalding, on behalf of Dr Smith, represented the Association at the Post Mortem and reported as follows :—

"The body was found to be in an advanced state of decomposition. There were obvious signs of bruising on the abdomen. No signs of internal injury on opening the body. Owing to the advanced state of decomposition a minute examination of organs was impossible. No valvular or gross lesion of the heart present, it was impossible to form an opinion of the condition of the heart muscle, owing to decomposition. The left lung was adherent to the chest wall — the result of old Pleurisy. We were unanimously agreed that death was due to syncope, following Influenza."

The coroner's jury brought in a verdict that Patterson came to his death from syncope following Influenza, and that death was accelerated by an injury through a blow from a shovel on the stomach accidentally caused at Shotton Pit on July 24th, 1918.

Deceased leaves a widow, aged 32, three sons, aged 11, 10, and 1, and two daughters, aged 7 and 5, wholly dependent.

Claim made by the widow.

Claim disallowed.

Source: NEEMARC - Ref: NUMDA/6/1/1/1, Reports of the Compensation Department, Vol I covering Sep 1918-Dec 1919