Compensation - mining accident

[Mofamily]

My gg grandfather George Bullen  (ag. lab) b: 1853 was born in Stow Bedon, Norfolk and moved to the NE to work in the mines.  He apparently (according to a family story) had an accident and with his compensation he bought a fruiterers shop in Blind Lane, Silksworth.

I believe he was only a relatively young man when this happened so it was a long time ago.  My question is was compensation given in those days   If so, how much was it likely to be

Mo

[stanmapstone]

The Employers' Liability Act was passed in 1880, and the Workmen's Compensation Act of 1897 considerably increased the employers' obligations, however the  coal owners attempted to shift their burden on to the Miners' Permanent Relief Fund set up in 1862. But the Durham Miners Association would not listen to such an arrangement and there was set up, for County Durham only, a Joint Committee representing the associations of coal owners and miners, which would decide upon the liability of the employer and upon the amount to be awarded in each case, the whole sum of compensation being provided out of the employers own joint funds.

Stan

[stanmapstone]

He was a coal miner in the 1881 Census, and a greengrocer in the 1894 Directory, I cannot find him in the 1891 census, but in 1901 he is a Fruiterer in 11 Blind Lane, Tunstsall. The building is still there.

Stan

[stanmapstone]

As far as I can see the Miners' Permanent Relief Fund only paid a weekly amount while the miner was disabled, and not a lump sum.

Stan

[Mofamily]

Thanks Stan

I wonder how he did it 

Mo

[Tickettyboo]

Possible entry in 1891 ( transcribed on FindMyPast as Ballen)

RG number: RG12      Piece: 4141      Folio:  109      Page:  60

BALLEN, George   Head   Married    M   36   1855   Coal Mining Lamp Man
Stow Bedon
Norfolk
BALLEN, Agnes   Wife   Married    F   36   1855   
Washington
Co Durham
BALLEN, Eleanor   Daughter       F   14   1877   Domestic At Home
Co Durham New Silksworth
BALLEN, Sarah   Daughter       F   13   1878   
Co Durham New Silksworth
BALLEN, Ann   Daughter       F   1   1890   
Co Durham New Silksworth

Boo

He was a coal miner in the 1881 Census, and a greengrocer in the 1894 Directory, I cannot find him in the 1891 census, but in 1901 he is a Fruiterer in 11 Blind Lane, Tunstsall. The building is still there.

Stan

[nort]

hi Mo,i had a ancestor who died in a pit in 1900.His widow made a claim against the NCOMPA (Northumberland Coal Owners Mutual Protection Association).Liability was admitted for the amount of three years earnings less cost of gunpowder and she received £291 5s 9d.
I got this info from the Northern History website which was freely available but this info doesn't seem to be online now.This info should be available but i'm not sure where,maybe the Durham Record Office?

Steve

[Mofamily]

hi Mo,i had a ancestor who died in a pit in 1900.His widow made a claim against the NCOMPA (Northumberland Coal Owners Mutual Protection Association).Liability was admitted for the amount of three years earnings less cost of gunpowder and she received £291 5s 9d.
I got this info from the Northern History website which was freely available but this info doesn't seem to be online now.This info should be available but i'm not sure where,maybe the Durham Record Office?

Steve

Yes, it probably would have been about that time as he was a coal mining lamp man (thanks to tickettyboo) in 1891 (whatever that is), but by 1901 he had the shop.

Don't suppose he got that much, but could have been enough for a downpayment.  (don't know what his injuries were).

Pity the website isn't available anymore as I don't live anywhere near Durham.

Never mind - it makes more sense now.

(why less cost of gunpowder)?

Mo

[stanmapstone]

As a Lampman he would be working in the lamp room on the surface, maintaining the lamps that were issued to the miners. As he was in the lamp room it looks as though he was not fit enough to work underground.

Stan