Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-06-16

A new Workmen's Compensat9A
| amending the original act OF 1915, VIZ
by the benefits to be paid to mn
employees was materially increased
enacted at the recent session 81
State Legislature. In brief the ~
| ing changes have been mada:
/. The new law will decrease
waiting period from two wees
days. thus increasing the n1n'e'
employees who receive c2nis's
fol temporary total disabil.t; ta-
approximately at 1850.
2. Med cal aid which was tUn |
, amended for two weeks with Z,
mum cost of $50 will now be gi,ti
days with a maximum cost OF N.l
! the additional provision is made
both the time and the cost shall be
tended. If in the judgment Of the
! dustral Acct lent Commission ire
r, ture of the injury or the process d
covery requires it.
3. The rate for compensation OIL
kinds of disability is changed from 1
| 3-5 of weekly wages.
4. The maximum weekly payHe''
luded to is in reased from slN 10 e.
| the minimum amount wh!ca any
ployee shall receive is increased \
a to S..
5. The maximum amount vn.'t j
be paid in any case Of pernanea!
disability is changed from s." 'oS
g. The limit Of $500 is placed Il'a
amount to be paid to Dependents 4
! of fatal accidents.
The result of the extended rlateA1
cal computations which are nsas
to obtain the cost of paying the zen
provided by any workmeA's conP1
ton law. according to the hgu'S
nished by the companies TO the IL
ance department. increases the Pr
! manual rate 81 per cent. TN; y
was obtained by computing me D
cost of 100000 acc dents under Inc
law and comparing it with TIE az
cost Of the same accidents 10 me
law.
Insurance Comm ssioner G va
Smith. assisted by several Of rs
for the past two weeks has 9fe'
ing endless conferences to df's'.''
! to the correct rates that No-.e
rrove1. With the e nneadreas 'r
to the present law. and w. e 'e
panies who do the largest a"i'--
workmen's compensation InS~'1'
the State of Maine have IMAM :"
ted to Comm ssioner Smith f"i
t on reducing the amount "nNa
first claimed at 81 per >eA;. 70 =.
30 per cent, the insurance de'H
has not been willing to a.ceH
figures as final and insists "a.
Their investigation he had along
lines Of less cost because Of '"e
lation in different industrial aHa
! mercial plants of safety 't'"ts
will tend to greatly lessen me -
of accidents that occur.
1t is hoped that when he ma
are accepted that the lnsIr'as
and the carrying comnan'eS W.
fully satisfied of the a;.''udr "a
insurance department is 'aN''A
merely question to comm
Smith as to whether Or rot ~
credit is being given in tie IA"
! mitted inasmuch as those ;ha' !"
fany advance are based upon
ence OF business written II ."
1917. whereas the department
that due credit must be SlEe"
experience thus FAR obtained aid A.
that prevailed in 1878 ard 'ha'
seemingly indicate a lower pen"
OF injury in 1919.
The entire matter is one O. =
importance to the emrIoHe IKE
state Of Maine and the insH''",
partment has for the past wv y,
or more been greatly interested .,
voted much time toward sow"
| problem. calling 10 its ald s'"'
leading actuares and ma'He'n' :,
! ootainable and they WI no' I" Il.
ned until a definite and pos'""
ing OF results justify any mere"
| an Increase il any that ShAN V