Document LKbGe7rZDR5LKbJOXazXdVYV5

in-?,An a c o n d a Le a d Pr o d u c t s Co mpan y \S \v Ea s t Ch ic a g o ,In d ia n a February 14th. 1936 Mr. Frederick Laist, Vice-President, Anaconda Lead Products Company, Room 1720 - 25 Broadway, New York, N. Y. Dear Mr. Laist For the past week have intended to write you concerning a former employee, Lawrence Nelson. He had been employed intermit tently in our plant from June 2nd, 1927 to May 3rd, 1935, at which time he was discharged for exceptional carelessness on the anode washing operation at the White Lead Plant. His entire record of employment indicates an inefficient vorkman. After he was discharged he obtained employment as a laborer with Ilcess Brothers Machine Shopin Hammond, and in August i935 suffered a paralytic stroke and has since been under a physicisns care. Incidentally, he was one of the eleven men who picketed the plant early in July, and as far as wa could determine he was led into this position due to his wife's relationship with the wives of two other pickets. At the time of his paralytic stroke he asked Dr. D. R. Johns, our plant physician, tc take care of him, presumably as his personal physician. Dr. Johns was familiar with his record of employment with us, and also advised us that the family was in distress and had no funds to give adequate medical attention. Under these circunisteucos we made arrangements with Dr. Johns to take care of Nelson without revealing to him that the International Bmeltirg and Refining Company would, if necessary, reimburse Dr. Johns fer his services. *As far as v;e know, NcK^n is still of the opinion that Dr. Johns, during the time be under his treatment, was acting as his personal physician. At r. Johns' request we have made nc payment tc date for his car-; of Nelson, though the fee will be modest since there is not a gruut u*ul a physician can do under these circumstances. Nelson remained in St. Cat' -rIns*a Hospital under treatment for a considerable perioi :f ti.-.c, and tests made at the hospital reveal that his ailment is prL.Tvrily due to syphilis. This is typical of the complications v.k Lch <.c are continually facing on lead absorption. His record of 1-n I ut sorption while in our employment is a typical average pi-'t .d of occasional exposure, treatment, and with the exception .1' :*.*rt periods off duty, working practically all of the time.  An a c o n d a Le a d Pr o d u c t s Co mp a n y Ea s t Ch ic a g o ,In d ia n a Sheet #2 - Mr. Frederic it Laist, Vice-President. February 14 th, 1936 During Januury of this year Dr, Johns advised us that apparently Nelson had obtained another physician. This action on the part of Nelson was not surprising to us. We were advised by Dr. Johns within a week or two after Nelson's first illness that in his opinion the company would ultimately be sued on the grounds of lead absorption. Since that time we have heard frequent rumors of similar intent. These rumors were confirmed by an action filed by Todd and Slaughter, Attorneys, of Hammond, Indiana, in the Lake Superior Court, against the International Smelting end Refining Company on behalf of Lawrence Nelson, plaintiff, in which the essence of the complaint is as follows: "That by reason of said lead poisoning, plaintiff suffered cerebral-hemmorhage and became-, paralyzed on the left side, and has been permanently injured, and will never be able to work again at a gainful occupation, and all on account of defendant company's carelessness and negligence aa aforesaid, and was not c8U3ed by any negligence or negligent acta of plaintiff. That then and there and thereby plaintiff has been damaged in th9 sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars." ' , In the original development of this case we advised Mr. Heniy Gardirer of our Chicago office and hei&s in turn advised Mr. D M. Kelley of the situation involved and the suit aa filed. Mr. Gardiner advised me yesterday that Mr. D. M. Kelley expects to be in Chicago within the next few weeks, and will probably go over with us the conditions involved in this suit. While the suit as filed may appear formidable, our experience in similar cases in the past indicate that situations of this kind are primarily a matter of obtaining a reasonable settlement with en employee. Since the primary cause of his difficulty is due to factors not involved in his employment, a fair recognition of the lead hazard involved generally adjusts the matter satisfactorily. Whether this outcome will b possible in th is case of course no one can predict. Nelson, under Dr. John's treatment, has recovered sufficiently to be able to walk around reasonably well, he has a slight limp in the left leg, his arm movement is feir, his fingers have not fully recovered their normal strength; i.e., the improvement under treatment has been reasonably satisfactory. ' As far as we can determine, the case now is in the hands of the Legal Department for whatever action and position they may wish to adopt.