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 term accident comes in definition of permanent disablement ? Explain.

Answer & Explanation:

The Employees' Compensation Act, 1923 does not define the word Disablement. It only defines the partial and total disablement. "Partial disablement can be classified as temporary partial disablement and permanent partial disablement. (a) where the disablement is of a temporary nature' Such disablement as reduces the earning capacity of an employee in the employment in which he was engaged at the time of the accident resulting in the disablement and (b) where the disablement is of a permanent nature such disablement as reduces for all time his earning Capacity in every employment which he was capable of undertaking at the time. Total disablement means, such disablement whether of a temporary or permanent nature, which in capacitates an employee for all work which he was Capable of performing at the time of accident resulting in such disablement. Permanent total disablement shall be deemed to result from every injury specified in Part I of Schedule I or similarly total disablement shall result from any combination of injuries specified in Part II of Schedule I of the Act. To make the employer becomes liable under Section 3 of the Employees' Compensation Act, 1923, the injury must be caused to an employee by accident arising out of and in the course of his employment. The personal injury must be caused by an "accident". The expression accident must be construed to its popular sense. It has been defined as a mishap or an untoward event which is not expected or designed. What the Act intends to cover is what might be expressed as an accidental injury. In view of the above the term accident comes in the definition of permanent partial disablement.

Topics: Employee's Compensation Act, 1923

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