The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1910-09-23

System Provides For Prompt Relief.
Protects Crippled Workers Depend
ents From mediterranean Passes
on Claims.
In view of the interest now being
taken in workmen's compensation and
employers liability laws. the follow
ing information as to how the subject
is handled in Denmark will be inter-
esting: By a system of compulsory
insurance the workmen's interests are
safeguarded without litigation. The
consumer practically pays the insur-
ance premium, it being included by the
employer in estimating the cost of
production.
The advantages of the Danish law
are: Il, Absolute protection Of the
workingman: (2) avoidance Of all liti-
cation connected with injuries re-
ceived from accidents: (3) the knowl-
edge on the part of the employer that
so long as the insurance is paid he
need fear no losses from damage suits,
etc.: az if a workingman is injured
those depending on him are protected
from such want or privation as might
be caused by the cessation of his
wages. The settlements are made
promptly. and the sufferer and his de-
pendents are caused as little incon-
venience as possible
If workingman engaged in any Of
the employ ments covered by the law
suffers an accident which has tempo
rarily or continually decreased his
working capacity he is insured against
the sustained loss of his working
capacity. If the accident causes death
and the workman leaves a widow she
is entitled to the insurance if the mar
rage took place before the accident
and they had not ceased to live to-
gether.
If the workman does not leave
widow who is entitled to the insur-
ance his children are entitled to it
if he was liable for their support or
did support them at the time the ac-
cident took place. If the workman
leaves neither wife nor children it will
be decided by a council whether the
insurance shall be due to others who
at the time of the accident were sup
ported by the workman. The same
rules apply to female employees who
leave children or others supported by
them.
Survivors who at the time of the
accident did not live in Denmark have
not the right to claim compensation.
For the settlement of all questions
arising under this law a council has
been established, consisting Of chair
man appointed by the king. two men,
bers likewise appointed by the king, Of
whom one shall be doctor, two en-
the interior and two workmen Of those
trades included in this law.
The council decides as soon as pos
sible after notice of any case
First-Whether the case reported in
wolves any claim under the accident
insurance law.
Second-Whether such facts are
present as will determine the nature
of the compensation.
Third-The amount of the compensa-
ton which is due to the survivors.
The decisions of the council as to the
first question may be appealed to the
VI Tue Willie NuOSo
under the second and third cannot be
appealed.
Amounts decreed by the council are
to be paid to that body within four
teen days and are at once paid to the
person In question. In some instances
the council may decide that an annuity
be bought for the money. in which
case the annuity is paid direct to the
annuitant. Daily payments and burial
expenses are always paid direct to the
beneficiary.
According to the last annual report
Of the council. made to the minister
of the interior and published. the num-
Der Of cases of accident reported and
dealt with by the council In 1908
amounted to 1888. Of which 425 were
not considered. as they were found
not to involve any claim according to
the law: in 1865 of them the person
in question fully regained his working
capacity. and fifty-eight cases resulted
in death. In seventeen Of the latter
the deceased did not leave any person
who was found entitled to the insur-
anre. and the funeral expenses only
were paid. In the remaining forty -on~
cases beneficiaries We're found and
13O. 400 crowns C$34.047, were paid In
addition to the funeral expenses.
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