Medical Appeal Tribunal case file for James Huckle, aged 62, Training officer at...

Date of birth: 11/11/1888
Marital status: Not given
Address: 123 Poolsbrook, Chesterfield
Type of injury: Injury - leg
Description of accident: Slipped while carrying timber and fell with right knee across the rail
Further information: The claimant slipped while carrying timber on 29 September 1950 and remained incapable of work for the benefit period which was 30 September 1950 until 29 March 1951. The injuries were described as 'strained muscle', 'injured thigh', 'sacro-iliac strain', 'injured right hip' and 'injured back.' From 29 March 1951 the assessment was 20 per cent for 6 months. Full Hospital notes are included - in the summary it states 'This patient has an osteo-arthritic hip with 30 degree flexion contracture. He also appears very anaemic [...] Later this patient had a recurrence of the severe pain in his right hip since discharge from hospital. There is now a large mass in the groin which I think must be a neoplasm [...] Later this patient discharged himself from hospital without any protection for the right hip which was found to be in a tuberculous condition and a large abscess. There is a discharging sinus and the patient should really be in a plaster spica or on traction. He declined both and discharged himself against all advice.' A handwritten note with 'Mr Kitts' written at the top and the date '14/6/51' states 'This is the chap with crutches.' There are handwritten notes from the claimant regarding transport to the hearing, and a reply from the Clerk to the Medical Appeal Tribunal dated 14 June 1951 stating the representative Mr Kitts will take him by car. The hearing assessed the extent of disablement at 50 per cent for life on 21 June 1951, stating 'On the evidence it is quite clear that the accident aggravated and accelerated the progress of the disease.' A letter dated 18 November 1953 from the claimant enquires about Union payments and payments due to his 'permanent injury.' On reply he was advised to see the Branch Secretary.