Non-fatal Accident

William Bailey

Durham Miners' Association
Compensation Department

Non-Fatal Cases.

5011. Boldon. William Bailey, 52, hewer.

Had his right eye injured by a piece of coal flying from the pick point on 18th June, 1920. He has lost the sight of the eye. He commenced light work as a labourer in the pit yard in December, 1920, and continued at such until 15th February, 1922, when his notice expired which he had received for exceeding the time allowed for dinner on several occasions.

The manager refused to re-employ Bailey and Bailey claimed full compensation.

Claim allowed.

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

Durham Miners' Association
Compensation Department

Official Medical Referee Cases.

5011. Boldon. William Bailey, 52, hewer.

1. "The said William Bailey is blind in his right eye from accident and his condition is such that he is in my opinion unable to work as a hewer, but is quite able to do light work at bank.

2. The incapacity of the said William Bailey is partial and is due to the accident on 18th June, 1920.

Dated this 29th day of November, 1922.

(Signed) A. S. PERCIVAL,

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

County Court Cases.

Boldon. William Bailey, 52, hewer.

Lost the sight of his right eye through a flying piece of coal on 18th June, 1920. He commenced light work as a labourer in the pit yard in December, 1920, and continued at such until 15th February, 1922, when his notice expired which he received for misdemeanour.

The manager refused to re-employ Bailey and the Committee at their meeting on 25th September, 1922, awarded Bailey full compensation as from 15th March, 1922, until suitable light work was offered at the colliery or obtained in the open market. On 4th October, 1922, Bailey was examined by Dr. Wardale on behalf of the Owners and certified fit for hewing. The case was referred to the Official Medical Referee (Dr. Percival) who reported on 29th November 1922 :—

"William Bailey is blind in right eye from accident and his condition is such that he is in my opinion unable to work as a hewer but is quite able to do light work at bank.

The incapacity is partial and is due to the accident on 18th June, 1920."

The Owners paid Bailey full compensation without War addition after the report of the Official Medical Referee.

The case was before the Committee on 7th March, 1923, and Bailey was awarded 20/- without War addition.

Bailey failed to obtain work and asked for full compensation.

His claim for War addition was again before the Committee on 26th September and disallowed. The case was sent in by the Lodge with a request for it to be taken to Court and the Compensation Sub-Committee on 6th November, 1923, decided to take the matter to Court.

It was before Judge Greenwell at South Shields Court on 23rd January, 1924, but after the Judge’s decision and his remarks in the case of Marsden ... J. McNamee, Mr. Heath advised the applicant to withdraw his claim, and Bailey and the lodge representative agreed that this course was the best.

Mr. Richardson, the Owners’ Barrister resisted the case being withdrawn on the grounds that Bailey was being paid too much.

The Judge however agreed to the case being withdrawn.

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

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