Local Appeal Tribunal case file for Edwin Palfreyman, aged 54, Belt maintenance man at Shipley Date of birth: Marital status: Not given Address: 7 The Meadows, Heanor Type of benefit claimed: Special Hardship Allowance Type of injury: Injuries - hand Further information: Industrial accident 22 May 1953 when hand struck by a hammer. Final Medical Appeal Tribunal 13 July 1955 determined a loss of faculty and 10 per cent for life disablement assessment. Returned to work as belt mainenance man. NCB submission stated this occupation is 'substantially equivalent to pre-accident occupation [...] there is no difference in grade [...] However, [...] Mr Palfreyman is not now capable of carrying out his duties so efficiently as he was before the accident'. Claimant then moved to work as a switchman and Special Hardship Allowance had been paid to 22 December 1954 and the appeal was against discontinuation of the benefit. Claimant stated: 'Before I was off work I always received bigger wages [...] because I was doing repairs which cannot be done when the pit is turning coal' and also pointed out he had lost a 10/- per week belt man allowance: 'When coal turning as done again for the winter my wage will fall very much'. Hearing set for 18 April 1956 was adjourned for earnings assessments. Tribunal summary: 'The fresh details of earnings defeat the appeal for the earnings are now on average in excess of the national pre-accident earnings'. 1956