Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Thursday 03 July 1919
£117 for Loss Of Son.
At the Doncaster County Court, yesterday, Robert Clarke, miner, Denaby, brought claim under the Compensation Act to recover compensation for the loss of his son through an accident in the pit.
Mr. Shepherd, barrister, said the son, aged 19, was injured while working as a pony driver in the Colliery. On August 21, 1917, his spine was injured by a fall of roof and he died on February 3, 1919. His average earnings were £1 10s. 1d., and £58 15s. had been paid into court, in addition to £57 5s. 8d. previously given. It was held that the maximum amount to which claimant would be entitled for total incapacity would be £234 13s., taking into account the various sums which would accrue automatically from percentages and war allowances.
Mr. Allen, for the respondent Co., asked the Judge to consider the possibility of the earnings ceasing any time through the son leaving home or getting married. They had been negotiating and done everything to arrive at a fair basis. They had already paid £ll7, including the sum paid into court.
His Honour made an award for the amount’ paid into court, being opinion that the sum already paid, £117, would probably be a little more than the figure that would have been awarded the Court if it had been left them.