The Cotton Factory Times. — 1909-08-27 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

SUICIDE AND COMPENSATION.  CLAIM AT PRESTON.  AN IMPORTANT CASE  An important case under the Workmen's Compensation Act was beard at Preston County Court, on Tuesday aftenioon, the facts of which, said Mr. F'arackerley, for applitnnt, in opening, were rather extraordinary, and from whatever standpoint viewed, pathetic, and indeed tragic. Applicant was Sarah Johnson, 205, Brockholts-view, Preston, widow, who sought compensation from Iforroekses, Crewtkon, and Co., Ltd., cotton manufacturers, Fishwick Mill, in respect to the death of her husband, John Johnson, an oiler. Mr. John Taylor, Blackburn, was for the respondents. Outlining the facts of applicant's care, Mr. Famekerley said that prior to October 22nd, 1908, the deceased had worked for respondents for abc,ut 15 or 16 yearn. On the morning of that date do. ceased was injured while oiling shafting in the gearing alley at Fkliwick Mill, which was part of his duty as oiler. About seven o'clock in the morning Johnson was found, not on the staging, but on the ropes and straps, which were driving the machinery. When doe-seed was pulled out his clothes were found to be burnt, and he had suffered severe injuries. Ile was taken home, and from that day to the day of his death he was paid compensation from the firm at the rate of 98. per week.  From the day of the accident, and not previously, continued Mr. Fazackerley, deceased suffered extremo pain in the head, and aLso from acute sleeplessness, no acute, in fact, that it was with great difficulty he could be kept in bad, and in the small houns of the morning was found roaming about the etreeta. After the accident, for the first time, in consequence of the pain and depression from which he wan suffering, he threatened to commit suicide. He was attended by several doctors. On April 20th Dr. Seller, examined deceased on behalf of the insurance company. At the time deoe,ed was suffering from indigestion. In consequence of the report of Dr. Sellers to the company compensation wee etopped on April 23rd. On April 30th deceased committed suicide by hanging himself, and an inquest Was held. The answer, filed by respondents, said Mr. Fazaekerley, was a denial of liability for compensation on the grounds that the death of the deceased did net result from personal injury by accident, arising out of and in the ()pulse of his employment, and really the sole point his Honour would have to decide appeared to be: Did the man commit suicide on that day as a result of pain and depression which the accident had forced him into whilst following his employment for the reI epondenhsMr. Taylor: And if he did are we liable? Mr. Fazackerley said that was the first time in that court whore, when a man had committed suicide, a claim had been. lodged. Tics Judge: There are cases on that point. Mr. Fazackerley: Oh, yes. I am going to quote cares.  Mr. Taylor: And I am going to quote several. Mr. Fazackerley then quoted cases in support of his claim, and, in conclusion, mid that if he satisfied hie Ilonour that the pain and depression re,ulting from the aocidett were the direct cause of the bodily and mental condition of the deceased, and that it woein consequence of this he committed suicide, he submitted that applicant was entitled to compensation. The widow, in evidence, said that before the accident her husband was a healthy man, and never complained of pains in the head. He had been off work a few time; suffering from indigestion. The home 1.6 a happy one, and there was no pecuniary reason for deceaied to take his life.  Cres-examinod by Mr. Taylor, applicant said deceased suffered a good deal of pain from indigestMn at timee, but he never said he wished he was dead until after the accident. After the accident deceased was never in bed for a whole night. .  Mary 'Hayes, 21, Fishwiek-road, said before the accident she was in the habit of knocking the deceased up, but afterwards she frequently met him " walking sentry" in the street 60 early as four and five o'clock. Slso had seen him wails his hands to his head, also with a muffler on his head, and he had several times complained of pains in his head, and being unable to sleep. Dr. Reid spoke to having attended deceased at times for indigestion, 'flatulence, and chronic constipation, but he was all right again in a few days. The day following the accident witner.slw deceased, and he wag then suffering from pains in the head. The left, side of his head was contused, and slightly lacerated on the forehead and back of the head, and swelling went down the neck as far as the shoulder. There was also a burn on the thigh. After attending deceased to November 18th witrtees advised him to ore Dr. Collinson at the infirmary, because he was suspicious of a fracture of the inner plate of the bone of the skull. Mr. Fazackerley: What do you say about the cause, of death?--Witness: I should think the pain in the head and the insomnia led to acute melancholia, which caused the man to commit suicide. What, in your opinion, was the cause of the pain?—The accident. Judge Hamißon, in making an adjournment for a fortnight, said the case was a very important one.