Non-fatal Accident

James Chappell

Durham Miners' Association
Compensation Department

Official Medical Referee Cases.

1039. Hetton Lyons. James Chappell, 30, hewer.

1. "The said James Chappell is a strong healthy well developed man. He asserts he cannot stoop or stand long without pain and weakness in his back. I can find no trace of any remaining effect of his injury either to spine or right side of pelvis where he complains of most discomfort. His knee jerks and other reflexes are normal. The muscles of back move freely and he can bear deep pressure without pain when his attention is distracted and his condition is such that he has recovered from his accident and is fit to resume his ordinary employment so far as his accident is concerned.

2. The incapacity of the said James Chappell is not now either totally or partially the result of his accident on 25th November, 1912.

Dated this 2nd day of February, 1922,

(Signed) SELBY W. PLUMMER, M.D.,

Medical Referee."

Source: NEEMARC - Ref: NUMDA/6/1/1/3, Reports of the Compensation Department, Vol III covering Jan-Dec 1922

Durham Miners' Association
Compensation Department

Hetton Lyons. James Chapple, 22, hewer.

Chapple received injuries to his spine by a fall of stone on 25th November, 1912. He was paid full compensation until February, 1922, when he commenced light work in the waste. He continued at this work for three months and had to give up. The case was referred to the Official Medical Referee (Dr. Plummer) who reported on 2nd February, 1922, as follows :—

1. "The said James Chapple is a strong, healthy, well-developed man. He asserts be cannot stoop or stand long without pain and weakness in his back. I can find no trace of any remaining effect of his injury either to spine or right side of the pelvis where he complains of most discomfort. His knee jerks and other reflexes are normal. The muscles of back move freely and he can bear deep pressure without pain when his attention is distracted, and his condition is such that he has recovered from his accident and is fit to resume his ordinary employment so far as his accident is concerned.

2. The incapacity of the said James Chapple is not now either totally or partially the result of his accident on November 25th, 1912."

No compensation has been paid since 2nd February, 1922. Chapple submitted to the Arbitration Committee on 17th October, 1923, an X-ray photograph and a report by Dr. Fairclough in support of his application for his case to be re-opened. The case was adjourned for the Owners to consider the matter.

The Owners’ Directors allowed the matter to be re-opened and the Committee adjourned the case for a joint report to be obtained from Dr. Martin.

Source: Documents at the Durham Miners' Association, Redhills, Durham

Durham Miners' Association
Compensation Department

Hetton Lyons. James Chapple, 22, hewer.

Chapple received injuries to his spine by a fall of stone on 25th November, 1912. He was paid full compensation until February, 1922, when he commenced light work in the waste. He continued at this work for three months and had to give up. The case was referred to the Official Medical Referee (Dr. Plummer) who reported on 2nd February, 1922, as follows :—

1. "The said James Chapple is a strong, healthy, well-developed man. He asserts he cannot stoop or stand long without pain and weakness in his back. I can find no trace of any remaining effect of his injury either to spine or right side of the pelvis where he complains of most discomfort. His knee jerks and other reflexes are normal. The muscles of back move freely and he can bear deep pressure without pain when his attention is distracted, and his condition is such that he has recovered from his accident and is fit to resume his ordinary employment so far as his accident is concerned.

2. The incapacity of the said James Chapple is not now either totally or partially the result of his accident on November 25th, 1912."

No compensation has been paid since 2nd February, 1922.

Chapple submitted to the Arbitration Committee on 17th October, 1923, an X-ray photograph and a report by Dr. Fairclough in support of his application for his case to be re-opened. The case was adjourned for the Owners to consider the matter.

It was again before the Arbitration Committee on 19th December, 1923, and adjourned for a joint report to be obtained from Dr. Martin, who reported on 27th December, 1923 :—

"On November 25th, 1912, while in a slightly stooping position he was struck by a large stone, which fell from the roof on to the neighbourhood of his right hip. In consequence, he was thrown to the ground, but was not buried by the fall. After the accident he tried to walk but found he was not able. He was therefore removed by tram to the pit mouth and thence by ambulance home. Shortly after the accident he was seen by the late Dr. Adamson. He was confined to bed for two months. He was then admitted to the Sunderland Infirmary and remained an in-patient there for one month. During this period an X-ray examination of his back was carried out, and I am informed that a fracture of the lower part of his spine was disclosed. On June 13th, 1913, he worked one shift in the lamp cabin. Between February 22nd and March 21st, 1914, he worked fourteen shifts on waste work. Since then he has on various occasions done several spells of light work, but apparently, he was unable to work from January, 1915, to August, 1920. He again worked from August 17th, 1920, to December 18th of the same year. Then on October 12th, 1921, he did shift work for one day. After working from March 20th to May 12th, 1922, he has been unable to perform any employment owing to pain in his back. He now complains of pain in the small of his back after walking or stooping much. His present condition is as follows :—

He is a healthy looking man of good physique, whose general health is quite good. On examining his back no definite deformity is seen, except that the right flank is more hollowed out than the left. There is no marked limitation of the movements of the back. His lower extremities show no paralysis while his knee jerks are quite active. The X-ray print of his back, taken by Dr. Gamlen in 1921 shows a fracture dislocation of the fifth lumbar vertebra.

In this case no further improvement can now be looked for. There will always be some permanent disability, sufficient to prevent him following any arduous employment. He can, however, now carry on a light employment."

Awarded full compensation as from 1st November, 1923, until suitable light work is offered.

Source: Documents at the Durham Miners' Association, Redhills, Durham

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