The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-01-04

@edeA<SA GAAtPASSSO Va VAASAA 0CRCAAa-
ents have received the sum Of 16,-
7io,641N as compensation during
the past two years in Connecticut.
according to the thirteenth biennial
report OF the Board Of Compensa-
ton Commissioners as presented to-
day 70 Governor Wilbur L. Cross. OF
this sum only 1S,Ot2, 1884 went d.
rectly to the injured and the ball
aylce, 42,7O6,712.63 was paid for med
ical, surgical and hospital expenses.
The report covers the period, NO
yeInber !, 1894 to November !, 1886,
and u rendered In accordance with
the directions In the General Stattl-
tes.
The report gives the statistics
Of the compensation commission,
which Is divided into i've districts,
each under the jurisdiction Of one
commissioner and each commits
sioner q member Of the board which
prepared the report. In addition to
statistics, difficulties experienced
during the past two years In medi-
cal problems, and occupational dis
eases as well as suggested changes
are placed before the governor.
In view Of the lack Of q stalls
tical department In the compensa-
ton commission, difficulty was ex-
perienced In preparation Of the re-
port and 1t Is by no means design
ed for complete accuracy. During the
past two years the number Of ac-
cidents reported was 38,348. The only
trouble experienced In getting re-
ports Of accidents has been mostly
with employees engaged IN motor
sales and In some cases insurance
carriers have requested the commits
sion to use its statutory power IN
getting certain assureds to report
accidents.
$3.50 Waivers Approved
A total Of s,s06 waivers have been
approved during the period covered
by the report. In most cases OF de-
mand for signing Of waivers, 1t is
companies who are self insurers.
Companies covered by standard
compensation policies are not so rig
Id in regard to the waivers.
That more and more cases are be"
ing settled without prolonged trials
before the commissioners Is borne
out by the total Of 1860 stipulations
approved during the reported per-
iod. This type Of settlement has
been approved by the supreme court.
In the past two years, 2,385 find
ings and awards have been issued.
A finding and award sets forth the
jurisdictional facts Of the case and
the subordinate facts upon which
the commissioner bases his conclu-
sion. The drawing Of finding and
award consumes considerable OF the
commissioners time for 1t may be
appealed to the superior or supreme
courts.
Voluntary agreements to the
amount OF $15,626 have been ap--
proved. An agreement Of this sort
is a contract between the employer
and the injured as to the rights and
obligations of the respective parties.
Maximum cases involve the pay
ment Of $2l weekly for a period OF
$40 weeks, or excessive Of $4,000.
Medical and surgical expenses may
be added to that sum. Voluntary
agreements including medical ex-.
penses have been known to ex-
coed $4,000.
During the two years ending Mo-
yember /, 1886 there were l84 COM
pensable deaths, an increase Of 81
over the number 1853 for the pre-
vious two years. In the opinion OF
the commission 1t Is entirely too
many hut compares very favorably
with deaths caused by motor yehi-
cles.
In two years 1854 hearings were
conducted. If the hearing results In
a settlement or the approval Of a
stipulation, 1t Is not considered,
statistically, q hearing. Actions OF
self insurers is readily meeting the
proven claims Of the injured are
lauded. by the commissioners. In
surance carriers have been known
to default claims, but never the sell
insurers.
Medical Charges Mount
,..s.. L., con,
Free cnolce OF pnyoiC.a.o =. So.r ~.
pensation cases mas not pali'eu ou'
well when allowed IN otner . s.atss,
opine the commissioners ~ S.a'l ~
that free cnoice OF pnyslc,alS "
surgeons should not be considered IN
this state. They claim that medical
charges have mounted steadily In
the free choice states, and that tile
class OF service 1urnisneo ana tne
results therefrom nave not Deeil 90
favorable as wneI. tne cnoace "
medical care was ieIt 70 tile e.lpios
or or insurer. doctors IN compens 81