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Full Details

Surname
MURPHY
Forename
William
Day
15
Month
04
Year
1923
Age
Occupation
Mine/Quarry Name
Bothwell Castle, Nos 3 & 4 Pits
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
William Baird & Co. Ltd
Location
Blantyre
County
Lanarkshire
Details of Event
15 April 1923: Miner's Death - Damages Awarded - An action for £1000 damages for the death of his son, William Murphy, brought by Richard Murphy, miner, Glasgow Road, Blantyre, against Messrs William Baird & Company, coalmasters, has been decided in Hamilton Sheriff Court by Sheriff Shennan. The deceased, while employed at the defenders' Priory Pit, Blantyre, was killed by falling through an open gate into the shaft, and the pursuer contended that the accident was caused by the pit bottom, where his son was working, being in darkness whereas, under the Coal Mines Act, a proper light should be kept continuously burning there. The defenders pleaded that the accident was contributed to by the negligence of the deceased, who had failed to shut the gate through which he fell. His Lordship has found for the pursuer, and has assessed the damages at £250, saying in the judgement that there can be no doubt that the absence of the light in the pit bottom was the main cause of the accident. The defenders no doubt honestly thought they were complying with the regulations in doing what they did, but there had been a breach, and they could not avoid liability for reparation. [Scotsman 7 January 1925]