VPRS 9928 Workers' Compensation Claim Books

Full description

This series comprises a workers compensation claim book created by the Melbourne Electricity Supply Company (MES Co.) from 1925 to 1928. The Workers Compensation Act 1915 (No.2750) and subsequent legislation stipulated that employers were liable to provide safe working conditions. Employees were entitled under s.11 and 12 of the legislation to make claims for compensation against their employer in the event of accidents that occurred during working hours.

This book serves as a record of each accident and a ledger of wages paid by MES Co to claimants. The book also records money received by MES Co. from the Ocean Accounting and Guarantee Corporation. This corporation acted as insurer to MES Co. and reimbursed the company for the wages paid when a claim was made on the companys insurance policy.

In the book, entries were made for accidents that occurred in Melbourne and Geelong. Entries for compensation include the following: name of claimant, address, occupation, injuries, account of accident and record of wages paid. Entries for accidents involving tramways, company vehicles and equipment (public liabilities) include; type of vehicle, name of driver, account to be charged against, damages claim, type of injuries/damages, place where the accident occurred and amount paid.