Denver labor bulletin., 1918-01-12
CALIFORNIA; INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT
LAW ISPROVING OF REAL BENEFIT
Report Covering Fiscal
Compensation Awarded Amounting $3,5o73o4s3 for All
Divisions Covered In the Law; State
Proves a Success.

California has model industrial ac-
cident law which is working in most
satisfactory manner. The commission
to administer the law consists of three
members appointed by the governor,
one of which is a representative of or
ganized labor, the present commission
consisting of A. ]. Pillsbury, Will J.
French Qabor) and Meyer Lissner
The secretary is H. L. White and
Chris NJ. Bradley is the counsel.
During the fiscal year ending June
80, 1917, there were approximately
100000 industrial injuries in Califor-
mia. This does not include federal en-
ployes, large number of whom are
employed in the state.
The Bulletin has been furnished
with a summary of this report, now
in the hands of the state printer, and
it is of such general interest as show
ing the operation of a splendid law
that it is published here in order that
Colorado employees and employers may
compare it with the unsatisfactory
statute adopted by the legislature of
this state. Following is comprehen-
sive summary of the California Indus
trial Commission report:
Report of California Industrial Acct
dent Commission.
The report of the Industrial Acct
dent Commission for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1917, shows that in
1916 there were 94,S79 industrial in
Iures in the state of California. This
large total is divided into three main
groups: Fatal injuries, 657; perma-
nent injuries, 1,709; temporary in
iuries, 92,513. Fifty-seven of the IA
talities occurred on the high seas. The
maritime disasters affecting the
steamers Roanoke, Aberdeen and Mag
nolia were mainly responsible. Total
dependents to the number of 663 were
left as the result of 300 fatalities; l13
partial dependents were left in 50 ia
tai cases, and in 304 fatal cases there
were no dependents. The average age
of the wives left dependent was 39.9
years, and the children's average age
was 10.5 years. Twelve of the seri-
Gus and permanent injury cases re-
suited in the commission awarding life
pensions. There We're 1924 injuries
that caused time loss of Is days or
more. The remaining injuries came
within the two weeks waiting period.
Compensation and Medical Costs.
CALIFORNIA; 94,S79 hurt workers
We're awarded S2,39S, ,232.O1 in COM
pensation. This sum includes the es-
Inmates in all death and permanent in
Jury cases. The medical, surgical and
hospital payments totaled $1,l09,-
072.S2. The total for both compensa-
tion and medical costs is SO ,5O7 ,3O4.83
Election of Compensation.
Compensation can be elected by
farmers and householders and their
employees, as well as by those hiring
casual employees outside of the regular
business of the employer. The thou
fiscal year bring the grand total filed
up to 25,89O, divided as follows:
Farming and kindred occupations. 49,
619; domestic, ,533; casuals, 10,73S.
Court Decisions.
On February 3, 1917, the Supreme
court of the state of California, by
unanimous vote, decided the Industrial
Accident Commission had jurisdiction
over injuries sustained in maritime
service. The case is known as the
North Pacific Steamship Company VS..
Industrial Accident Commission. On
May 21, 1917, the Supreme court of
the United States decided by a five to
four vote that the New York compen-
sation statute could not be admitted
to operate in cases of maritime en-
ployment. The test case is known as
Marie Jensen VS.. Southern Pacific
Company. The similarity of the New
York and California compensation
laws resulted in the notification of the
California Supreme courts decision
when the highest court of the land
decided the issue. (Since this deci-
sion Congress has amended the Judi
cial Code to give concurrent jurisdic-
tn al
laws)
The Supreme court of the state of
California decided that elective officers
of the state are not entitled to com
pensation. Another decision was that
reclamation districts, irrigation dis
tricts. water districts, levee districts
and other public agencies are not en-
plovers within the meaning of the 1913
California compensation law, which
has been amended to include such en-
ployers.
Compensation Department
There was an increase of about 18
per cent, compared to the previous
wear, in the number of controversies
between employers and employees sub
mitted to the commission for decision.
The average time of the ordinary case
between filing an application for ad-
iustment of claim and decision was
6212 days. The previous years aver
age was rs days. Some cases required
answers to interrogatories sent to Eu-
rome. In some instances years elapsed
before the returns were made.
In deciding 1893 contested cases
there were held / 1862 hearings, and
260 cases were acted upon without |
hearing. The supplementary proceed
ings before the commission numbered |
$50.
Compensation was awarded to en-