The Penn's Grove record., 1919-08-29

employees and compensation insur-
ance men in the State.
This pamphlet is a revised edition
of the Workmen's Compensation Law,
presenting it as it applies to every ac-
cident occurring on 81 after July 4th.
Summaries of the statute are re-
CURED by law to be posted in every
plant where goods are manufactured
for sale, and have this summary post
ed within reach, so that they may be
advised as to the general benefits to
which they may be entitled. Among
the changes made are to be noted the
following:
Maximum compensation raised from
ten dollars to twelve dollars, mini
mum raised from five dollars to six
dollars.
Compensation rate raised from fifty
per cent. of weekly wages to ~sixty-six
and two-thirds per cent, subject to the
twelve dollar maximum.
Period during which the employer
or insurance carrier must furnish med
ical aid to the injured extended from
two weeks to four weeks, waiting per-
iod, i. e., the period following an ac-
cident during which employee is not
entitled to compensation reduced from
two weeks to ten days; Saturdays and
Sundays count in this waiting period
if the injured is physically unfit for
work on those days.
One troublesome question that has
been dealt with definitely by the legis-
lature is that of hernia. The matter
was given careful study, and the legis-
lature has gone on record to the effect
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an accident, but rather to regarded as
a disease developing more or less
gradually. The medical profession is
that a hernia is primarily due to an
inherent physical weakness in the alb
dominal wall, and the development of
the hernia is therefore not the result
of a hazard of any particular occu-
patton. Consequently it is only when
cases develop as the direct result of
physical violence that compensation
will be allowed. In valid cases of
this kind the statute prescribes
twenty weeks as the period during
which compensation is payable; this in
addition to such compensation as may
be required to cover the period of dis
ability attending the injury.
The new law determines that COM
pensation is payable for four weeks
for each lost tooth. The compensa-
ton for loss of hearing in one ear ex-
tends during a period of forty weeks,
and loss of hearing in both ears by n
accident for one hundred and sixty
weeks.
An important feature of the law
touching fatal cases is that dealing
with partial dependency. Heretofore
partial dependency has not been rec
ognized by the courts. If there has
been actual dependency, this has been
held sufficient to entitle the applicant
to the full benefits of the statute.
This, however, has now been qualified,
and except in the case of a widow and
children who are actually a part of the
decedent's household at the time of his
death, the compensation for. partial de-
tendency shall be in such proportion
of the scheduled percentage as the
amounts actually contributed to them
by the deceased constituted of his total
wages. It is also well to note that in
connection with fatal cases the ex-
4 pense of last Sickness 70 se NE. by
the. employer shall not exceed two
hundred dollars. The employer can
not be called upon in such instances
for any additional outlay over this
Sufn.
Regarding the medical and hospital
service chargeable to the employer, it
is to be noted that while the period is
extended from fourteen to twenty
eight days, of which the day of the ac-
cident counts as one whole day, the
limit of $50 has not been altered.
1t is therefore, not to be assumed that
a doubling of the length of this SER
vice doubles the amount which can be
charged to the employer.
1t is provided, however, that In Sc
we're cases requiring unusual medlcal
or surgical treatment, or calling for
artificial limb or other mechanical ap-
p~liance, the employee is privileged to
file a petition with the Workmen,s
Compensation Bureau praying for ad-
ditional assistance, and in such cases
the Commissioner hearing the matter
is authorized when warranted by the
evidence, to order additional service
not to exceed in total the sum of two
hundred dollars, or to extend over a
period greater than seventeen weeks.
Employers, employees or compensa-
ton insurance companies or agents
desiring full Interpretation of any OF
the amendments, or desiring to obtain
copies of the revised statute should ap-
ply to the Workmen's Compensation
Bureau, at the State House, Trenton.