The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1915-11-20
MANY ABUSES CREEP INTO NEW y. q
-. RI. WORKMENS COMPENSATION LAW:

When the Minnesota workmen's
compensation law was adopted it was
not expected that it would accord full
justice in every case Of personal in
jury coming, within its purview. But
it embodied the correct principle, that
is, that theastate had an interest in
the WORKER Injured in industry Just
as it had in ,a-person who becomes IN
capacitated through other intrument-
atty, and that it is the recognized
duty Of the state to enact laws that
will adequately compensate the in
jured worker for his contribution to
society. =:
We believe, Minnesota should aim
towards obtaining a statute that VIII
give the injured, .employe full medical
attendance during incapacity, whether
his injury be permanent or temper
airy. It is society's duty to care for
the injured in industry, and that duty
does not cease to exist until the
worker has completely recovered from
his injuries. "
The present law gives medical at
tendance only to the, extent Of $4,000.
to be increased to 100000 when it is
shown: to the satisfaction of the court
that the smaller sum will not ade-
quately pay for the. physicians serv-
ices and hospital expenses.
It may be: argued that some limit
must be placed on the sum for which
the employer shall be liable. Assum-
ing while not -:conceding this to be
true. we still adhere, to the belief
that this provision of the Minnesota
law Isl unjust to the workman.
In no case Is the employer: liable
for medical attention after the first
90 days of injury. The $4,000 limit.
| when conceded by the court, does not
cover services rendered after the first
loo days, and he must make his claim
for the additional 100000 within 100
| days after the injury. This means
that he usually makes his petition for
! additional allowance to pay for med
| ical and hospital services which he
has already received. !: :5s 81.
Here is assstrdking example which
shows how the law works out. The
case is not Hypothetical, but actually
happened here in Duluth. -
''John Smith" :was injured abou,
Sept The insurance company
representative sent him to- 3 local
hospitalzfor attention The company
selected.the attending physician: After
| lingering at the hospital for about
two months John Smith was notif1ed
that. the first $500. 90; to which he was
entitled for medical services under
the law had been exhausted, and an
application was made to the court fol-
the additional $4,000. The cour,
granted the application. -: >; ~
Soon after this he was told that the
second $4,000 has been eaten up n
doctors, fees and hospital expenses
and he was further questioned as e
who should pay any additional ex.
penses that might be incurred IL he
were allowed to remain in the, hospi.
tai The man was q HON less Finn. HI
has suffered ,fsrrfu I'M uries, Including
r. fractured skull resulting In menta
derangement, but Nvas forced 70 leave
this institutions 6ff rarity while III 4
serious pond ition. He went I'd 1sstht
only place he knew, q Finnlandel
boarding house on st. Croix avenue
where there was no one to properl,
caro- for him. He remained there I
few days until the q item ding physicfal
came III. contact With him and brough
him back TO tho hospital. His condl
ton ct the present time ii very seri.
Gus and. It Il raid 10 will require care
il full .treatm ant @f0r nAf 31aps three nprl