Local Appeal Tribunal case file for John William Crowther, aged 40, Coal face worker at Holmewood Date of birth: 05/05/1918 Marital status: Married Address: 19 North Street, Holmegate, Clay Cross Type of benefit claimed: Special Hardship Allowance Type of injury: Finger injury Further information: The claimant had an accident on 26 February 1957 while releasing a sylvester chain from a prop when a piece of dirt fell on his little finger. According to the Initial Medical Board Report, in the claimant's statement 'The finger was badly crushed and after a fortnight it was decided to amputate it. I was off work 10 weeks altogether. I am now doing light work. If I use the hand for heavy work I get a lot of swelling up. I get occasional sharp pains.' The final assessment was 6 per cent disablement. Special Hardship Allowance at a reduced rate was awarded until 25 November 1958. There is detail about the claimant's wages in his pre-accident work as a Coal face worker, and in his post-accident work as a Haulage worker. Payslips are included. A letter of appeal by the claimant dated 9 July 1957 states 'I wish to appeal [...] They gave me an assessment of 10% provisional from the 29th May, 1957 to the 28th September, 1957 and then a final assessment of 7% for life. I consider that this assessment is too low as in addition to the amputation of the little finger a portion of my hand has been taken away and I have trouble with my third finger.' A final assessment dated 12 August 1957 states 6 per cent. The Appeal hearing on 4 December 1958 was adjourned on the question of wages. On 8 January 1958 the Tribunal found in favour and awarded Special Hardship Allowance at 34s 0d per week from 26th November 1958 to 24th November 1959. 1959