Non-fatal Accident

James Dawson

Durham Miners' Association
Compensation Committee

2929. Charlaw Witton Pit. James Dawson, 59, deputy.

Received an injury to his head by a fall of stone on October 11th, 1905. He was off work two years and received full compensation, then started light work as a shifter, and worked at the light work for two years then had to give it up. The case was before the Committee in 1913, and was referred to Dr Drummond for a report. Dr Drummond reported on May 10th, 1913, as follows :—

"In my opinion James Dawson is suffering from neurasthenia or nerve weakness, which up to a certain point was in all probability purely functional. He has now developed degenerate changes incidental partly to the time of life at which he has arrived and partly to the long continued depression and nervousness. I am afraid the outlook is not favourable, and it is scarcely to be expected that he will return to his ordinary employment. I see no reason, however, why he should not undertake light work; in fact, he would be all the better for regular occupation. I do not think it would be correct to ascribe his present condition to the accident which can only be regarded as a factor but not the real cause of his nervous symptoms, and I base this opinion very largely upon the result of my examination made in May, 1905, when there was total absence of indications of any serious injury to the brain."

In June, 1913, the Committee awarded Dawson 4/11 per week compensation. He has not worked since, and has been refused light work and claims full compensation.

Adjourned as Dawson was not able to attend the Committee.

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

Durham Miners' Association
Compensation Committee

2929. Charlaw Witton Pit. James Dawson, 59, deputy.

Received an injury to his head by a fall of stone on October 11th, 1905. He was off work two years and received full compensation, then started light work as a shifter and worked at the light work for two years and then had to give up. The case was before the Committee in December, 1913, and was referred to Dr Drummond for a report. Dr Drummond reported on May 10th, 1913, as follows :—

"In my opinion James Dawson is suffering from neurasthenia or nerve weakness which up to a certain point was in all probability purely functional. He has now developed degenerate changes incidental partly to the time of life at which he has arrived and partly to the long continued depression and nervousness. I am afraid the outlook is not favourable, and it is scarcely to be expected that he will return to his ordinary employment. I see no reason, however, why he should not undertake light work; in fact he would be all the better for regular occupation. I do not think it would be correct to ascribe his present condition to the accident, which can only he regarded as a factor but not the real cause of his nervous symptoms, and I base this opinion very largely upon the result of my examination made in May, 1905, when there was total absence of indications of any serious injury to the brain."

In June, 1913, the Committee awarded Dawson 4/11 per week compensation. He has not worked since, and has been refused light work, and claimed full compensation.

This case was before the Arbitration Committee at the last meeting when it was adjourned.

The Committee decided to award 4/11 per week with back money from June, 1913.

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

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