Sheffield Daily Telegraph August 18, 1917
A Miner’s Lost Fingers
Harry Webster, miner of 27 Thomas St, Kilnhurst asked his Honour Judge Benson at the Rotherham County Cap Court, yesterday, to grant compensation, amounting to 10s 2d (51p) per week, the respondents being the Dalton Main Collieries Ltd.
Mr Wynne, for the applicant, explained that the man sustained an accident of August to 4th 1912, which resulted in the loss of the third and fourth fingers of the right hand and other injuries.
His average earnings were £2 1s. The present earnings were £1 10s 10d per week, and he asked the conversation, which was stopped in January last to be paid up to former earnings.
Application, reply to Mr Ellison, barrister, said his average from January 17 to July 18 loss of five days per week, and his ways worked out at £1 16s 1d quotes all on.” He could not work six days a week continuously on account of the pain in his hand.
Dr Ram expressed the opinion that the applicant could not work six days a week.
For the respondents, Dr Pye Smith was called after which Mr Ellison said the present wage for a full week was £2 3s 6d, which was more than applicant’s original earnings. He submitted the applicant might reasonably be expected to work six days. The respondents were willing to consent to a reward of 2s 8d, which under the circumstances was liberal.
His Honour made an award for 4s per week.