Johnson v. State of Illinois — 5 Ill. Ct. Cl. 178

ARCHIE L. JOHNSON, Claimant, v. STATE OF ILLINOIS, Respondent.

Case summary

Claimant, a student at Northern Illinois State Teachers' College, was injured while operating a saw in the manual arts department, resulting in amputation of fingers. The court found no legal liability but recommended an award of $3,000 based on equity and social justice.

Claim type: Personal Injury Negligence

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Headnotes

OSCAR E. CARLSTROM, Attorney General; GEORGE C. DIXON AND FRANK R. EAGLETON, Assistant Attorneys General, for respondent.

STUDENT AT STATE INSTITUTION-when award may be made for injuries sustained by. A student at Northern Illinois State Teachers College, under the direction of the college authorities sustains injuries in the operation of dangerous machinery in the manual art department, and by reason of such injuries he is permanently disfigured: Held. He is entitled to an award as an act of social justice and equity. JOHN M. BUCKLEY, for claimant.

Mr. CHIEF JUSTICE CLARITY delivered the opinion of the court:

This is a claim brought to recover for injury sustained by claimant while a student regularly enrolled and paying tuition in the Northern Illinois State Teachers' College in the City of DeKalb, and State of Illinois.

It appears while the claimant was working in the manual art department of said college, operating a saw which was part of the equipment of said arts department, his left hand was thrown in contact with the saw, by reason of which he suffered the amputation of the thumb, the index finger and the middle finger of his left hand and other lacerations and injuries to said hand.

It appears to the court that this is a case that appeals more strongly than the principle of equity and social justice.

The claimant appeared in person in court, a clean cut, intelligent young man, and offered for consideration of the court his maimed hand, which will not alone retard his possible success in life, but will also disfigure him.

He suffered a great deal of pain and other physical inconvenience, and it appears to the court that allowance should be made.

It is therefore considered by the court that the claimant was injured while giving due care for his own safety, was under the direction of the college authorities, was paying for his education, in fact the State was engaged in business and received the money of the claimant for the training he sought. [*179]

As it is often held by this court, there is no legal liability, however in accordance with the rule of equity and social justice, it is recommended by this court that claimant be allowed $3,000.00.