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Right to sue.

Barred, how.

Notice.

Compensation or death.

Compensation for incapacity.

conduct of the workman: Provided, further, That the employer shall at the election of the workman, or his personal representative, be liable under the provisions of section 2 of this act for all injury caused in whole or in part by willful failure of the employer to comply with any statute, or with any order made under authority of law.

SEC. 4. The right of action for damages caused by any such injury, at common law, or under any statute in force on January one, nineteen hundred and eleven, shall not be affected by this act, but in case the injured workman, or in event of his death his executor or administrator, shall avail himself of this act, either by accepting any compensation hereunder, by giving the notice hereinafter prescribed, or by beginning proceedings therefor in any manner on account of any such injury, he shall be barred from recovery in every action at common law or under any other statute on account of the same injury. In case after such injury the workman, or in the event of his death his executor or administrator, shall commence any action at common law or under any statute other than this act against the employer therefor, he shall be barred from all benefit of this act in regard thereto.

SEC. 5. No proceedings for compensation under this act shall be maintained unless notice of the accident as hereinafter provided has been given to the employer as soon as practicable after the happening thereof and before the workman has voluntarily left the employment in which he was injured and during such disability, and unless claim for compensation has been made within six months from the occurrence of the accident, or in case of the death of the workman, or in the event of his physical or mental incapacity, within six months after such death or the removal of such physical or mental incapacity, or in the event that weekly payments have been made under this article, within six months after such payments have ceased, but no want or defect or inaccuracy of a notice shall be a bar to the maintenance of proceedings unless the employer proves that he is prejudiced by such want, defect or inaccuracy. Notice of the accident shall apprise the employer of the claim for compensation under this article, and shall state the name and address of the workman injured, and the date and place of the accident. The notice may be served personally or by sending it by mail in a registered letter addressed to the employer at his last known residence or place of business.

SEC. 6. (1) The amount of compensation shall be, in case death results from injury: (a) If the workman leaves any widow, children or parents, resident of this State, at the time of his death, then wholly dependent on his earnings, a sum to compensate them for loss, equal to one hundred and fifty times the average weekly earnings of such workman when at work on full time during the preceding year during which he shall have been in the employ of the same employer, or if he shall have been in the employment of the same employer for less than a year then one hundred and fifty times his average weekly earnings on full time for such less period. But in no event shall such sum exceed three thousand dollars. Any weekly payments made under this act shall be deducted from the sum so fixed. (b) If such widow, children or parents at the time of his death are in part only dependent upon his earnings, such proportion of the benefits provided for those wholly dependent as the amount of the wage contributed by the deceased to such partial dependents at the time of injury bore to the total wage of the deceased. (c) If he leaves no such dependents, the reasonable expenses of his medical attendance and burial, not exceeding one hundred dollars. Whatever sum may be determined to be payable under this act in case of death of the injured workman shall be paid to his legal representative for the benefit of such dependents, or if he leaves no such dependents, for the benefit of the persons to whom the expenses of medical attendance and burial are due.

(2) Where total or partial incapacity for work at any gainful employment results to the workman from the injury, a weekly payment commencing at the end of the second week after the injury and continuing during such incapacity, subject as herein provided, not exceeding fifty per centum of his average weekly earnings when at work on full time during the preceding year during which he shall have been in the employment of the same employer, or if he shall have been in the

employment of the same employer for less than a year, then a weekly payment of not exceeding one half the average weekly earnings on full time for such less period. In fixing the amount of the weekly payment, regard shall be had to the difference between the amount of the average earnings of the workman before the accident and the average amount he is able to earn thereafter as wages in the same employment or otherwise. In fixing the amount of the weekly payment, regard shall be had to any payment, allowance or benefit which the workman may have received from the employer during the period of his incapacity, and in the case of partial incapacity the weekly payment shall in no case exceed the difference between the amount of the average weekly earnings of the workman before the accident and the average weekly amount which he is earning or is able to earn in the same employment or otherwise after the accident, but shall amount to one-half of such difference. In no event shall any compensation paid under this act exceed the damage suffered, nor shall any weekly payment payable under this act in any event exceed ten dollars a week or extend over more than three hundred weeks from the date of the accident. Such payment shall continue for such period of three hundred weeks: Provided, Total or partial disability continue during such period. No such payment shall be due or payable for any time prior to the giving of the notice required by section five of this act.

SEC. 7. Any workman entitled to receive weekly payments under this act is required, if requested by the employer, to submit himself for examination by a duly qualified medical practitioner or surgeon provided and paid for by the employer, at a time and place reasonably convenient for the workman, within two weeks after the injury, and thereafter at intervals not oftener than once in a week. If the workman refuses to submit to such examination, or obstructs the same, his right to weekly payments shall be suspended until such examination has taken place, and no compensation shall be payable during or for account of such period.

Medical examinations.

persons.

SEC. 8. In case an injured workman shall be mentally incompetent Incompetent at the time when any right or privilege accrues to him under this act, the guardian of the incompetent appointed pursuant to law may, on behalf of such incompetent, claim and exercise any such right or privilege with the same force and effect as if the workman himself had been competent and had claimed or exercised any such right or privilege, and no limitation of time in this act provided for shall run so long as said incompetent workman has no guardian.

SEC. 9. Any question as to compensation which may arise under Proceedings in this act shall be determined by agreement or by an action at equity as equity. hereinafter provided. In case the employer fail to make compensation as herein provided, the injured workman, or his guardian, if such be appointed, or his executor or administrator, may then bring an action to recover compensation under this act in any court having jurisdiction of an action for recovery of damages for negligence for the same injury between the same parties. Such action shall be by petition in equity, which may be made returnable at the appropriate term of the superior court or may be filed in the office of the clerk of the superior court and presented in term time or vacation to any justice of said court, who on reasonable notice shall hear the parties and render judgment thereon. The judgment in such action if in favor of the plaintiff shall be for a lump sum equal to the amount of payments then due and prospectively due under this act. In such action by an executor or administrator the judgment may provide the proportions of the award or the costs to be distributed to or between the several dependents. If such determination is not made it shall be determined by the probate court in which such executor or administrator is appointed, in accordance with this act, on petition of any party interested, on such notice as such court may direct. Any employer who has declared his intention to act under the compensation features of this act shall also have the right to apply by similar proceedings to the superior court or to any justice thereof for a determination of the amount of the weekly payments to be paid the injured workman, or of a lump sum to be paid the injured workman in lieu of such weekly payments; and either such employer or workman may apply to said superior court or to any justice

Payments preferred.

Attorneys'

claims.

Reports.

Act in effect, when.

thereof in similar proceeding for the determination of any other question that may arise under the compensation feature of this act; and said court or justice, after reasonable notice and hearing, may make such order as to the matter in dispute and taxable costs as justice may require.

SEC. 10. Any person entitled to weekly payments under this act against any employer shall have the same preferential claim therefor against the assets of the employer as is allowed by law for a claim by such person against such employer for unpaid wages or personal services. Weekly payments due under this act shall not be assignable or subject to levy, execution, attachment or satisfaction of debts. Any right to receive compensation under this act shall be extinguished by the death of the person entitled thereto.

SEC. 11. No claim of any attorney at law for any contingent interest in any recovery under this act for services in securing such recovery or for disbursements shall be an enforceable lien on such recovery, unless the account of the same be approved in writing by a justice of the superior court, or, in case the same be tried in any court, by the justice presiding at such trial.

SEC. 12. Every employer subject to the provisions of this act shall from time to time make to the commissioner of labor such returns as to its operation as said commissioner may require upon blanks to be furnished by said commissioner. Any employer failing to make such returns when required by said commissioner shall, until such returns are made, be subject to the provisions of section 2 of this act.

SEC. 13. This act shall take effect January first, nineteen hundred and twelve.

Approved April 15, 1911.

NEW JERSEY.

Damages

for

ACTS OF 1911.

CHAPTER 95 (As amended by Chapter 174, Acts of 1913)—Employers' liability-Compensation of workmen for injuries.

SECTION 1.-EMPLOYERS' LIABILITY.

1. When personal injury is caused to an employee by accident personal injury. arising out of and in the course of his employment, of which the actual or lawfully imputed negligence of the employer is the natural and proximate cause, he shall receive compensation therefor from his emof ployer, provided the employee was himself not willfully negligent at the time of receiving such injury, and the question of whether the employee was willfully negligent shall be one of fact to be submitted to the jury, subject to the usual superintending powers of a court to set aside a verdict rendered contrary to the evidence.

Questions negligence.

Defenses abrogated.

Employees contractors.

2. The right to compensation as provided by Section I of this act shall not be defeated upon the ground that the injury was caused in any degree by the negligence of a fellow employee; or that the injured employee assumed the risks inherent in or incidental to or arising out of his employment or arising from the failure of the employer to provide and maintain safe premises and suitable appliances; which said grounds of defense are hereby abolished.

of 3. If an employer enters into a contract, written or verbal, with an independent contractor to do part of such employer's work, or if such contractor enters into a contract, written or verbal, with a subcontractor to do all or any part of such work comprised in such contractor's contract with the employer, such contract or subcontract shall not bar the liability of the employer under this act for injury caused to an employee of such contractor or subcontractor by any defect in the condition of the ways, works, machinery or plant if the defect arose or had not been discovered and remedied through the negligence of the employer or some one intrusted by him with the duty of seeing that they were in proper condition. This paragraph shall apply only to actions arising under section one.

4. The provisions of paragraphs one, two and three shall apply to any claim for the death of an employee arising under an act entitled "An act to provide for the recovery of damages in cases where the death of a person is caused by wrongful act, neglect or default,” approved March third, eighteen hundred and forty-eight, and the amendments thereof and supplements thereto.

Injuries causing

death.

5. In all actions at law brought pursuant to Section I of this act, the Burden of proof. burden of proof to establish williul negligence in the injured employee shall be upon the defendant.

6. No claim for legal services or disbursements pertaining to any demand made or suit brought under the provisions of this act shall be an enforceable lien against the amount paid as compensation, unless the same be approved in writing by the judge or justice presiding at the trial, or in case of settlement without trial, by the judge of the circuit court of the district in which such issue arose: Provided, That if notice in writing be given the defendant of such claim for legal services or disbursements, the same shall be a lien against the amount paid as compensation, subject to determination of the amount and approval hereinbefore provided.

SECTION II.-ELECTIVE COMPENSATION.

Attorneys' fees.

7. When employer and employee shall by agreement either expressed Compensation or implied, as hereinafter provided, accept the provisions of Section II payable, when. of this act, compensation for personal injuries to or for the death of such employee by accident arising out of and in the course of his employment shall be made by the employer without regard to the negligence of the employer, according to the schedule contained in paragraph eleven, in all cases except when the injury or death is intentionally selfinflicted, or when intoxication is the natural and proximate cause of injury, and the burden of proof of such fact shall be upon the employer. 8. Such agreement shall be a surrender by the parties thereto of their rights to any other method, form or amount of compensation or determination thereof than as provided in Section II of this act, and an acceptance of all the provisions of Section II of this act, and shall bind the employee himself and for compensation for his death shall bind his personal representatives, his widow and next of kin, as well as the employer, and those conducting his business during bankruptcy or insolvency.

Method to be exclusive.

9. Every contract of hiring made subsequent to the time provided Presumptions for this act to take effect shall be presumed to have been made with as to contracts. reference to the provisions of Section II of this act, and unless there be as a part of such contract an express statement in writing, prior to any accident, either in the contract itself or by written notice from either party to the other, that the provisions of Section II of this act are not intended to apply, then it shall be presumed that the parties have accepted the provisions of Section II of this act and have agreed to be bound thereby. In the employment of minors, Section II shall be presumed to apply unless the notice be given by or to the parent or guardian of the minor.

Termination of

10. The contract for the operation of the provisions of Section II of this act may be terminated by either party upon sixty days' notice in agreement. writing prior to any accident.

11. Following is the schedule of compensation:

for

Compensation

Temporary dis

(a) For injury producing temporary disability, fifty per centum of the wages received at the time of injury, subject to a maximum com- ability; pensation of ten dollars per week and a minimum of five dollars per week: Provided, That if at the time of injury the employee receives wages of less than five dollars per week, then he shall receive the full amount of such wages per week. This compensation shall be paid during the period of such disability, not, however, beyond three hundred weeks.

(b) For disability total in character and permanent in quality, fifty per centum of the wages received at the time of injury, subject to a maximum compensation of ten dollars per week and a minimum of five dollars per week: Provided, That if at the time of injury the employee

Permanent total disability;

Partial

bility.

Schedule.

other cause.

receives wages of less than five dollars per week, then he shall receive the full amount of wages per week. This compensation shall be paid during the period of such disability, not, however, beyond four hundred weeks.

disa- (c) For disability partial in character but permanent in quality, the compensation shall be based upon the extent of such disability. In cases included by the following schedule the compensation shall be that named in the schedule, to wit:

For the loss of a thumb, fifty per centum of daily wages during sixty weeks.

For the loss of a first finger, commonly called index finger, fifty per centum of daily wages during thirty-five weeks.

For the loss of a second finger, fifty per centum of daily wages during thirty weeks.

For the loss of a third finger, fifty per centum of daily wages during twenty weeks.

For the loss of a fourth finger, commonly called little finger, fifty per centum of daily wages during fifteen weeks.

The loss of the first phalange of the thumb, or of any finger, shall be considered to be equal to the loss of one-half of such thumb, or finger, and compensation shall be for one-half of the periods of time above specified, and compensation for the loss of one-half of the first phalange shall be for one-fourth of the periods of time above specified.

The loss of more than one phalange shall be considered as the loss of the entire finger or thumb: Providing, however, That in no case shall the amount received for more than one finger exceed the amount provided in this schedule for the loss of a hand.

For the loss of a great toe, fifty per centum of daily wages during thirty weeks.

For the loss of one of the toes other than a great toe, fifty per centum of daily wages during ten weeks.

For the loss of the first phalange of any toe shall be considered to be equal to the loss of one-half of such toe, and compensation shall be onehalf of the amount above specified.

The loss of more than one phalange shall be considered as the loss of the entire toe.

For the loss of a hand, fifty per centum of daily wages during one hundred and fifty weeks.

For the loss of an arm, fifty per centum of daily wages during two hundred weeks.

For the loss of a foot, fifty per centum of daily wages during one hundred and twenty-five weeks.

For the loss of a leg, fifty per centum of daily wages during one hundred and seventy-five weeks.

For the loss of an eye, fifty per centum of daily wages during one hundred weeks.

The loss of both hands, or both arms, or both feet, or both legs, or both eyes, or of any two thereof, shall constitute total and permanent disability, to be compensated according to the provisions of clause (b). In all other cases in this class, or where the usefulness of a member or any physical function, is permanently impaired, the compensation shall bear such relation to the amounts stated in the above schedule as the disabilities bear to those produced by the injuries named in the schedule. Should the employer and the employee be unable to agree upon the amount of compensation to be paid in cases not covered by the schedule, the amount of compensation shall be settled according to the provisions of paragraph twenty hereof.

The amounts specified in this clause are all subject to the same limitations as to maximum and minimum as are stated in clause (a). Death from In case of the death of a person from any cause other than the accident, during the period of payments for permanent injury, the remaining payments shall be paid to his or her dependents, according to the provisions of paragraph twelve of this act, or, if no dependents, the remaining amount due, but not exceeding one hundred dollars, shall be paid in a lump sum to the proper person for funeral expenses.

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