The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-06-07
VALUE OF HUMAN LIMBS.
Sums Paid to Unfortunate Subjects
 of Accidents.

Tit-Bits.
 It would probably surprise the ordi- nary man to learn that, under certain circumstances. his body is valued at not less than G1,S00. But the average assessments fixed by Judges and juries for victims of railway and other acci- dents support this statement.
 Brains are sensibly valued at the highest rates, especially when the vic- tim earns his living by mental pur- suits. A notable example was that of an American author. who sustained a fractured skull which incapacitated him for nearly twelve months. A sympa- thetic jury awarded him e2,000, which the reluctant railway company was compelled to disburse.
 Probably the largest amount ever paid for an accident to limbs was the sum granted to another American trav- eller. who was lamed for life by a rail- way collision. He received the sum oi s2.50O.
 The money value of crushed or broken legs varies amazingly, according to the status and profession of their owners. As much as 9300 has been assessed in this country for an accident to a leg, while the minimum amount for a frac- tured leg was 80 guineas, received by a domestic servant. The average sums awarded for injured legs would appear to be about 21S0 each, or $500 for two A London street vender was granted the sum of $500 for legs smashed by a loaded omnibus. In New York a little girl lost leg and an arm by an ac- cident on a street railway and ar equitable jury assessed the calamity at &490.
 Crushed arms and hands also have their golden compensations. A gentle man who had his right hand smashed by a catastrophe on the District Rail- way some years ago was barely remu- nerated by the sum of $50. For sim liar misfortune on German railway a notable author was awarded the ade- quate amount of f150.
 A badly broken arnL sustained by a traveller on a Texas railway, brought him the welcome gift of G250. An arm smashed by a coaching accident in duced a sympathetic jury to award the lady victim the sum of 100 guineas, which the wealthy proprietor appealed against, but finally paid. The average sum paid for broken arms is about 9100, the maximum amount being &25O.
 Fingers also have their financial value, as the records of the courts at- test. For a crushed finger, sustained in street railway accident. some years since, MT. B. Fordham received the sum of 25 guineas. The loss of four fingers, by railway mishap in France, made a Mentone merchant the richer by E70. For reluctantly parting with his right thumb in a collision on an American railway a citizen of Maine was compensated to the tune of 920 For some inexplicable reason toes are invariably regarded as of less value than fingers. From guineas to 81( appears to be the average assessment for these pedal extremities. For seV- cred toe, incurred in a railway disas- ter in the United States, the injured owner was awarded the scant compen- sation of &4.
 Spinal injuries are rightly regarded as worthy of substantial awards. A faulty platform at a certain country station led to the serious fall of To- cal gentleman, who thereby sustained severe injury to his spine. A thought full jury decided to award him the not exhorbitant sum of &600. In another case the spinal damage, which unhap- oily terminated in paralysis, the sui ferer received e1.0O0 as compensation
 Injuries to the head, especially when they assume a serious aspect, are com pensated on a fairly liberal scale. Ar English lady sustained severe nuI' to her head and face while journeyine hy coach on one occasion, and the jury who decided the case considered tha' E17O was not too heavy a claim under the circumstances. In another case 2 kick from a restive horse, resulting ir broken head for a gentleman stand ing near. compelled the owner of tho animal to forfeit the sum of 9SO as compensation.