The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-03-23
WORKMEN'S ACT
Is GOOD MEASURE
GENERAL SENTIMENT FAvoRs
THE BILL ENACTED AT SPE-
cIAL SESSION. HAS WIDE
ENDORSEMENT.

The special session of the legislature
having passed the worklngmcn's COM
pensation and employers liability law,
and the measure having been signed by
Gov Osborn, to become effective in
ninety days. much interest i'm the pro-
visions OF the act has been aroused
Because OF this interest. and the fact
that the people generally are not fam
liar with what II means to the work
ingmen, the following synopsis Is
given:
For the employer who refuses to
come under the jurisdiction of the act,
il removes the three common law de ..
lenses, viz: Assumed risk, fellow
servant ana conuibutory negligence.
Assumed risk means that an en-
ploye cannot collect damages for in
jury received as a result of risk he
knew he was assuming when. he took
the position.
Fellow servant" means that an en-
ploye cannot collect damages for an in
Jury received as the result of an acct
dent due to the carelessness Of am
other employee of the same company.
"Contributary negligence" means
that an employee cannot collect dam
ages for an accident IN any degree due
to his own carelessness. This act pro-
tects the employee against all these SER
ious handicaps to-.the collection OF
compensation for Industrial accidents
For Total Disability $4,000.
This act provides for the payment of
not to exceed $4,000 for total disabi
ty.
II provides for the payment OF not
to exceed $4,000 to dependents ON the
event of accidental death of an en-
ploye
1t provides for payment of not to
exceed SEQ for last sickness and bur
ial expenses in the event that the en-
I ploye has no dependents.
II provides for three weeks of hos
pital and medical services.
1t provides that the injured employe
is not to receive compensation for tho
first two weeks. unless he is laid up
for eight weeks or more. in which
event he would receive compensation
/ from the first day.
1t provides specific compensation
for the loss OF each toe. each finger
| each eye. each limb, etc.
II provides the fun total disability
compensation for the loss of two legs
or two arms or one arm and one leg.
Under this act the cmploye has fouI
options for IA system of paying COM
pensation, viz: He may carry his own
risk, or he may join in line with Others
/ in his line in forming mutual insur-
ance company. or 4ic may request the
! insurance commissioner of the state 20
take him under his wing, or he may
! insure i'm established companies
No savings or insurance or benefits
will be considered in determining the
amount of compensation 10 when any
workman is entitled.
| For the protection of the employe
from the insolvent employer, it mas
been provided that his claim will be q
| NO. iiNl tii liiN PiOpNlNN bilts NHeNe
md taxes.
Payable in InstalIments.
! The compensation is payable by the
week, at the rate OF 80 per cent of the
regular salary. but not to exceed SIC
or to be less than 81, and for not more
than 300 weeks.
The act provides for an adminstra-
ton board of three members to be APP
pointed by the governor and to- receive
salaries of $500 each. 1t also pro-
yidcs for the appointment of a secre-
tary to receive "A salary of $500.
In the provision OF this act which
stipulates that not to exceed $500 is
to be paid for last sickness and burial
expenses ia the event that the en-
| ploye who is killed leaves no depend
ents. the Michigan measure is more
| liberal than some of the other states.