Non-fatal Accident

Nathaniel Box

Durham Miners' Association
Compensation Committee

2977. Easington. Nathaniel Box, 27, hewer.

Received a severe injury to the hand by a fall of coal on September 22nd, 1914. After being off work some time he commenced light work but had on three occasions to give up. Whilst in receipt of full compensation he committed a crime, and on November 16th, 1918, at Durham Assizes, was ordered to be detained during His Majesty's pleasure. He is at present an inmate of a Criminal Asylum, and compensation was stopped on April 24th, 1919.

It was decided that, without prejudice, full compensation be restored and continued up to the next meeting of the Committee, in the meantime our side to arrange for medical evidence to be obtained from the asylum as to Box's fitness or otherwise for light work.

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

2977. Easington. Nathaniel Box, 27, hewer.

Received a severe injury to the hand by a fall of coal on September 22nd, 1914. After being off work some time he commenced light work, but had, on three occasions, to give up. Whilst in receipt of full compensation he committed a crime and on November 16th, 1918, at Durham Assizes, was ordered to be detained during his Majesty's pleasure. He is at present an inmate of a Criminal Asylum and compensation was stopped on April 24th, 1919.

The case was before the last meeting of the Committee when it was decided to pay Mrs Box full compensation with arrears up to the next meeting of the Committee.

The Committee awarded the light work rate, to be paid to Mrs Box, and a joint letter be sent to the Medical Referee of the district where Box is resident asking him to examine Box and report to the Committee, such report, however, not to be given in his capacity as Official Medical Referee.

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

2977. Easington. Nathaniel Box, 27, hewer.

Received a severe injury to the hand by a fall of coal on September 22nd, 1914. After being off work some time he commenced light work but had, on three occasions, to give up. Whilst in receipt of full compensation he committed a crime, and on November 16th, 1918, at Durham Assizes, was ordered to be detained during his Majesty's pleasure. He is at present an inmate of a Criminal Asylum, and compensation was stopped on April 24th, 1919.

The case was before the June meeting of the Committee when it was decided to pay Mrs Box full compensation with arrears up to the next meeting of the Committee.

At the last meeting of the Committee it was decided that a joint letter be sent to the Medical Referee of the district in which the Asylum is situated asking him for a report. He reported on July 30th as follows :—

"I went to Rampton Asylum to-day in order to see Box but admission to see him was refused, as he is under close confinement, being a criminal lunatic. The House Doctor informed me that he had recently murdered his son. I ascertained from him that the wound of his right hand had healed up but the thumb of that hand is destroyed. He is unable to do any work chiefly on account of his mental condition, though I believe if that ever gets well, he will have a fairly useful hand.

"It was suggested to me that Box's mental condition might have arisen out of the depression following the accident. At present, therefore, he is unable to perform any kind of work; if, however, you would like me to see him personally, a special Warrant from the Home Office will be required before I can be admitted to see him.

"I am of the opinion that it would be well to let the compensation run on as it is at present, and then in a few months' time, it would be possible, provided I had the necessary Warrant from the Home Office, to see him, and ascertain all the facts of the case, if his mental condition is such that it can stand cross-examination.

"Any further particulars I should be pleased to forward to you."

It was decided to apply to the Home Office for the necessary Warrant, and compensation at the full rate to be continued until the next meeting of 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

2977. Easington. Nathaniel Box, 27, hewer.

This case was before the last meeting of the Committee when it was decided that compensation at the full rate be paid up to the September meeting, in the meantime application to be made to the Home Secretary for a Warrant to enable a doctor to visit the Criminal Asylum where Box is at present, in order that he may examine Box and report to the Committee.

The case was again adjourned pending a Warrant being obtained from the Home Office.

Compensation, in the meantime, to be paid at the full rate to Mrs Box.

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

2977. Easington. Nathaniel Box, 27, hewer.

Received a severe injury to the hand by a fall of coal on September 22nd, 1914. After being off work some time he commenced light work but had, on three occasions, to give up. Whilst in receipt of full compensation he committed a crime, and on November 16th, 1918, at Durham Assizes was ordered to be detained during His Majestys pleasure. He is at present an inmate of a Criminal Asylum, and compensation was stopped on April 24th, 1919.

The case was considered by the Committee on June 2nd, 1919, and full compensation without prejudice was awarded until next meeting of the Committee.

The Committee at each subsequent meeting agreed for the full rate to be continued.

At the meeting on August 11th, 1919, it was decided to make application to the Home Office for a Warrant to have Box examined. A report from Dr G. Derwent Walker, of Doncaster, dated September 25th, has been received, and he reports as follows :—

"I examined N. Box this afternoon at Rampton Asylum and carefully noted the condition of his right hand. He has a small stump of a thumb, and four very serviceable fingers on his right hand. A good grip with these fingers was ascertained. I think he is quite able to do some light work as a gate keeper at a colliery, or given a job where there is not much lifting of heavy weights. Therefore, in my opinion, Box is partially incapacitated for work, but is able to do light work as aforesaid."

Awarded the reduced rate of 10/- per week.

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

Durham Miners' Association
Compensation Department

2977. Easington. Nathaniel Box, 27, hewer.

Received a severe injury to his hand by a fall of coal on September 22nd, 1914. After being off work some time he commenced light work but had on three occasions to give up. Whilst in receipt of full compensation he committed a crime, and on 16th November, 1918, at Durham Assizes, was ordered to be detained during His Majesty's pleasure. He is at present an inmate of a Criminal Asylum.

At the Arbitration Committee meeting on 13th October, 1919 (after a report was received from Dr. C. Derwent Walker, of Doncaster) he was awarded compensation at the rate of 10/- per week, and such compensation has been continued and paid to his wife.

Box made application for the future payments of compensation to be made to his father instead of his wife owing to the latter's misconduct.

Application refused.

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

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