In employer liability cases, compensation is owed regardless of employee negligence unless proven conduct falls within statutory exceptions.

JUDGME NT

This appeal is preferred against the order dated 23.07.2024 passed by the Commissioner Workmen Compensation cum Joint Commissioner of Labour I, Chennai 6, in W.C. No.96 of 2014.

2. The respondents in W.C. No.96/2014 are the appellants, challenging the order of the Commissioner for Workmen Compensation cum Joint Commissioner of Labour I, Chennai. The petitioner in W.C. No.96/2014 has claimed compensation in a sum of Rs.3,00,000/- for the injuries sustained by her in the course of her employment.

3. For the sake of convenience, the parties are referred to as per their ranking in W.C. case.

4. In support of her claim, the petitioner examined herself as P.W.1 and marked 8 documents (Ex.P1 to Ex.P8). On the side of the respondents, one witness was examined as R.W.1 and 6 documents were marked.

5. After appreciating the materials on record, the learned Commissioner directed the 2^nd respondent to pay a sum of Rs.2,91,726/- as compensation to the petitioner with interest. Assailing the said order, the present appeal is preferred by the respondents under Section 31(1) of the Workmen Compensation Act, 1923.

6. The sum and substance of the case is that, the appellant establishment is in the business of manufacturing waste cloth materials. The respondent / claimant was working in the appellant establishment since 1990 and at the time of the accident, she was working as a machine operator. According to the claimant, on 21.01.2014, during the course of employment, while cleaning the machinery, the machine was suddenly switched on and her right hand got stuck into the machine and got injured. Thereafter, she was admitted in Stanley Hospital and undergone treatment. Due to the said injury, she could not perform her regular avocation. The disablement was assessed as 33%. Based on the complaint lodged by the claimant, FIR was registered and thereafter, she preferred a petition before the Commissioner of Workmen Compensation seeking compensation for a sum of Rs.3,00,000/-.

7. Refuting the allegations in the complaint, the 1^st appellant herein filed a detailed counter questioning the maintainability of the complaint on the ground that the 1^st appellant establishment was rented to the 2^nd appellant, who was in total control and management of the affairs of the establishment. 8. The learned counsel for the appellants would submit that, without appreciating the materials on record in a proper perspective manner, the Commissioner of Workmen Compensation fixed the responsibility on the appellants and directed the 2^nd appellant to pay compensation for a sum of Rs.2,91,726/- by order dated 23.07.2024, against which the appellants preferred the present appeal. It is submitted that, there was a deliberate act of removal of safety grill and shield around the machine. Further, the claimant was cleaning the machine and removing the waste cloth while the machine was in motion, which constitutes a blatant violation of the safety guidelines and operating procedures established for employees. It is further contended that there was a concealment of facts regarding payment of Rs.1,50,000/- as compensation by the establishment and therefore, prayed for setting aside the order passed by the Commissioner, Workmen Compensation.

9. Per contra, the learned counsel for the respondent / claimant submits that, the learned Commissioner has awarded just compensation after appreciating the material on record, warrants any interference by this Court.

10. Heard on both sides. Records perused.

11. Based on Ex.P1 FIR and the counter affidavit filed by the 2^nd appellant, the learned Commissioner has rightly held that the alleged accident took place during the course of employment and that there is employer – employee relationship between the 2^nd appellant and the r