The problem is relating to compensation under section 3 of Workmen's Compensation Act. The sole point in the matter is whether the accident which occurred on 25th May, 2018, in the railway Yard at Lucknow and resulted in
CS Professional · Labour Laws & Practice · PYQS · December 2020
The problem is relating to compensation under section 3 of Workmen's Compensation Act. The sole point in the matter is whether the accident which occurred on 25th May, 2018, in the railway Yard at Lucknow and resulted in the loss of both legs of the respondent Mahabir, a machine man employed in the Carriage and Wagon Shops of East Indian Railway, Alambagh, Lucknow, arose 'out of and in the course of his employment' within the meaning of section 3 of the Act. As facts of case Mahabir lives in Village Mahmudpur which is close to Malhaur railway station on the East Indian Railway. He used to come free of cost to Lucknow junction every morning from Malhaur along with other employees in a workmen's special provided by the railway and proceed after crossing the lines to the Alambagh Workshop which is at a distance of about a mile from the junction across the railway yard. This was a some what shorter route and it was taken as a matter of routine for going to and coming from the works in preference to a sub-way and two other overbridge routes which were also available. When the workmen were on night shift, they were provided with special permits for travelling by ordinary passanger trains free of charge between Lucknow junction and Malhaur Station. Mahabir was on duty on the night between the 21st and 22nd May, 2018. He finished work at 5.30 a.m. and was returning as usual to the Lucknow junction station over the yard in order to catch the passanger train which left there at 8 a.m. for Malhaur. When he was within a short distance of the station platform, he crossed the line and in doing so he was run over by a shunting engine at about 6.30 a.m. As a result of the accident Mahabir's legs were crushed and they had to be ultimately amputated. Mahabir file a case against Works Manager, Carriage and Wagon Workshop for compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923. As per section 3 of W.C. Act, 1923 "If personal injury is caused to a workman by accident arising out of and in the course of his employment, his employer shall be liable to pay compensation. The expression 'out of and in the course of his employment' occurring in the aforesaid section has been the subject of interpretation in numerous case and it has been found almost a hopeless task to give such a comprehensive or exhaustive meaning as may be applicable to all cases. In cases, therefore, which arise in consequence of an injury caused to an employee while he is actually engaged in the work for the doing of which he is employed, it is hardly controversial on the ground of interpretation that this matter come under the section of Workman Compensation Act, 1923. The word 'employment', however has been given a wider meaning than the word 'work' and it has been universally accepted that a man may be in the course of employment without being actually engaged on work for the doing of which he is engaged. From what has been said above, it would appear to be a legitimate corollary that what may be called environmental accidents, that is accidents resulting from the surroundings in which the workman is employed or through which he has to reach his place of work in order to carry out his obligations to his employer, may fall within the scope of the phrase 'arising out of or in the course of his employment. On the basis of the above facts, answer the following: Whether the accident of worker is in course of employment ?
Answer & Explanation:
As regards personal injury, the employer becomes liable under Section 3 of the Employees' Compensation Act, 1923, if the injury is caused to an employee by accident arising out of and in the course of his employment. The expression "in the course of employment" suggests the period of employment and the place of work. In other words, the workman, at the time of accident must have been employed in the performance of his duties and the accident took place at or about the place where he was performing his duties. The word "employment" has a wider meaning than work. A man may be in course of his employment not only when he is actually engaged in doing something in the discharge of his duty but also when he is engaged in acts belonging to and arising out of it (Union of India v. Mrs. Noorjahan, 1979 Lab. I.C. 652). The expression "in the course of employment" covers circumstances under which the accident takes place and the time when it occurred. A causal Connection or association between the injury by accident and employment is necessary. The onus is on the claimant to prove that accident arose out of and in the Course of employment The Employment should have given rise to the circumstances of injury by accident. But a direct Connection between the injury caused by an accident and the employment of the workman is not always essential. Arising out of the employment does not mean that personal injury must have resulted from the mere nature of employment and is also not limited to cases where the personal injury is preferable to the duties which the workman has to discharge. In the present case, the accident of the worker is "in the course of employment" because worker was at the site of accident because of his employment. Yes in above case accident is in course of employment because there is a casual relationship between the accident and employment. This accident had occurred on account of a risk which is an incident of the employment.
Topics: Employee's Compensation Act, 1923
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