Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-22

In a. finding announced Weonesday afternoon Compensation Commissiope James J. Donohue has awarded Charles Bianchette, of Versailles, hus- band of the late Amanda B. Blanchette, compensation at the rate of $5 weekly for a period not exceed 312 weeks the decedent. who had been injured while at work in the Totokett Com pany's mill and an agreement had been approved and filed in the superior court office. Developments necessitat- ed hearing on the claim for specific injuries which was held and on the day following the hearing the woman died before a finding could be arrived at and signed by the commissioner. Her husband then put in a claim for compensation. The hearing held for the purpose of having the matter of dependence passed upon took place in the commissionee's office on Wednes- day, March 14th. and the finding was announced yesterday
 Voluntary Agreement Approved.
 On January 9th. 1917. a voluntary ageement was effected in regard to compensation for an injury to the thumb of the left hand received by the said Amanda E. B1anchette of Decem- Der 7th. 1916.. arising out of and in the course of her employment by the To- tolSett Mfg. Co. By the terms of said agreement injured emptoye was to re- ceive compensation at the rate of S. 1a
  dition the medical. surgical and hos pital services provided by Sec. of the act as amended.
 The agreement was in all respects in compliance with the requirements Of the act and was duly approved by the commissioner on Jan. 18th, 1917. on which date the agreement in question was presented for approval. and on the same day was filed with the clerk or the superior court.
 At the first hearing the eye special iSt testified that because of the blood poisoning which had resulted from the December 7th, 1916. she had lost the sight in one eve, and the attending physician stated over the telephone that she had also lost the terminal phalanx of the thumb on the left hand.
 It is found that the emp1oye in ques- ton died on the day following said hearing, namely on February 27th. 1917. before a finding and award could be filed for specific injuries. As the compensation law does not deal with estates but with dependents, no claim could be allowed in the present case under the existing circumstances for moneys which would have been due the employe for specific injuries if she had lived. as we consider that dis ability ends with death.
 Husband and Two Children Survive
 The decea sed left surviving her her husband Charles Blanc ohette, who is named ir the caption as the claimant two minor children. Cora. aged 15 years and Frank. aged 13, and from the testimony presented a. the second hearing it is found that said claim ants are the sole dependents in this case. It is also found that the de- cedent was living with her husband at the time of her death and that she was port of the family.
 From the testimony given at the hearing it is found that the decedent was a spinner and that she had work years during her married life and that during that time she lad turned Ter earnings in toward the family main tenance. As her husband is also working and earning s4S a month at the present time and has also been contributing to the support of the fam sly. he stands in the light of par tia1 dependent and on that account the minimum amount is hereinaft CT awarded as compensation.
 At the second hearing the repre- sentative of the respondents stated that they would proba bly raise the question of whether the Injury arose out of and in the course of the de- cedent's employment even though they had effected an agreement with the injured emp1oye.
 Gut Thumb With Knife.
 According to the testimony of the witnesses produced at the second hear ing, it is found that the enploye re- ceived slight cut on her left thumb while cutting the thread on the bob bins, and it is also found that the employees in the same line of work in which the decedent was employed at the time, that is the spinners, were in the abit of using old and new bob bins and it seems to be the practice to cut the thread from the old bob bin with a small knife and during this operation the injury in question