The Pittsburgh Press (August 10, 1941)
$2 for her; $1.17 for him –
LOSS OF SLEEP BY WOMAN MORE COSTLY THAN MAN’S
Rockport, Mass., Aug. 9 (UP) –
Loss of sleep is worth about $2 a night for a wife and $1.17 for a husband, according to a Superior Court auditor’s report on file today.
The auditor, Lawrence A. Ford of Beverly, awarded Mr. and Mrs. Charles N. Nelson of Pigeon Cove $542.20 compensation in their bill in equity against the Cape Ann Tool Co.
The plaintiffs contended their slumber was disturbed during a five-month period by noises incident to night-shift operations at the company’s plant, which is engaged on national defense orders.
Mrs. Nelson was awarded $300, her husband $175, and $67.20 additional was allowed to cover depreciation of rental value of their home because of noises from the nearby factory.
Lawyers for the Nelsons said that if the auditor’s report were confirmed by the court they would seek to have the company continue payment of damages at the established rate as long as the factory operated nights.