Contreras v. Industrial Commission

403 P.2d 535, 98 Ariz. 221, 1965 Ariz. LEXIS 264
CourtArizona Supreme Court
DecidedJune 23, 1965
Docket8053
StatusPublished
Cited by5 cases

This text of 403 P.2d 535 (Contreras v. Industrial Commission) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Arizona Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Contreras v. Industrial Commission, 403 P.2d 535, 98 Ariz. 221, 1965 Ariz. LEXIS 264 (Ark. 1965).

Opinion

LOCKWOOD, Chief Justice.

On October 10, 1962, the Industrial Commission entered its findings to the effect that the above applicant was able to return to his usual occupation on August 15, 1962, and terminated any temporary disability payment from that date. Petitioner filed a notice of protest and a petition for rehearing. On March 11, 1963, after rehearing held on February 11, 1963, the Commission entered an order affirming the Commission’s action of October 10, 1962. Pursuant to A.R.S. § 23-951 the Commission’s order of March 11, 1963, stated that any party aggrieved by the order might, within thirty (30) days after the rendition of the order *223 “apply to the Supreme Court of the State of Arizona for a Writ of Certiorari to review the lawfulness of said order * *

Section A of A.R.S. § 23-951 states:

“Within thirty days after an application for a rehearing is denied, or if the application is granted, within thirty days after rendition of the decision on a rehearing, any party affected thereby may apply to the supreme court for a writ of certiorari to review the lawfulness of the award.”

On May 31, 1963 the petitioner filed a Petition and Application for Readjustment of Reopening of the Claim. On July 16, 1963 the Commission denied the reopening of the petitioner’s claim. On July 25, 1963 petitioner filed a Notice of Protest and Petition and Application for a Rehearing. On August 9, 1963 the Commission issued an “Order Denying Rehearing and Affirming Previous Findings and Award.”

Petitioner filed his petition for writ of certiorari on August 29, 1963.

The Commission argues that this Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the petitioner’s application for a writ of certiorari because the petitioner failed to file a petition for such writ within thirty days after the Commission’s order of March 11, 1963, pursuant to the rehearing.

We have repeatedly held that the thirty days limitation in A.R.S. § 23-951 for making application for a writ of certiorari is jurisdictional, and the petitioner’s right to review in this Court is lost by failure to file within that time. Villanueva v. Phelps Dodge Corporation, 82 Ariz. 248, 311 P.2d 843; Harambasic v. Barrett & Hilp & Macco Corp., 58 Ariz. 319, 119 P.2d 932; Di Paolo v. Calumet & Arizona Mining Co., 36 Ariz. 347, 285 P. 680.

Petitioner’s reply brief acknowledges that the decision upon rehearing by the Commission was dated March 11, 1963 and that that decision allowed thirty days from March 11, 1963 for an aggrieved party to apply to this Court for a writ of certiorari pursuant to A.R.S. § 23-951. However the petitioner claims that the Commission is es-topped from asserting the procedural bar created by A.R.S. § 23-951 against the petitioner because of a series of correspondence in 1963, initiated by the petitioner three days after the order of March 11, 1963.

On March 14th petitioner’s attorney wrote to the Commission, acknowledging receipt of the decision on rehearing, and stating:

“I checked my file and if my records are correct, he is only claiming compensation from the date he was cut off, which I believe was August 15, 1962, till the date he went back to work *224 which is February 8, 1963.
“It seems like such a small amount to make a Supreme Court case out of.
“I respectfully request that you reconsider Dr, Cortner’s testimony in relation to his actually being disabled during this period, and that the only treatment was no treatment at all. I believe the results speak for themselves. He is now able to earn a living, however, the five months that he did not work, has literally bankrupted him.”

On April 8th the Commission by its Claims Compensation Supervisor responded to the letter of March 14th as follows:

“Mr. Frank Contreras’ case including your letter of March 14, 1963, was carefully reviewed. There is no justification from a medical point of view for payment of compensation from August 15, 1962 through February 8, 1963. Our records show that Dr. J. W. Cortner released Mr. Contreras for regular work on August 15, 1962 and the consultants who examined him on October 1, 1962 verified the fact that Mr. Contreras could remain on regular work status.
“From the testimony at the hearing held February 11, 1963, Doctor Cortner was of the opinion that Mr. Contreras was ready to return to work even though claimant felt he was not able.
“At the request of the attending physician, group consultatin [sic] will be scheduled to determine present status of Mr. Contreras’ back condition relating to his accident of June 25, 1962 and further handling of this case.” (Emphasis ours.)

At no time between the period of March 11th when the order was handed down, and April 8th did the petitioner file a petition for writ of certiorari to this court.

On April 10th petitioner’s attorney answered the Commission’s letter of April 8th. This was on the thirtieth day after the Commission’s order on rehearing, by which time, pursuant to A.R.S. § 23-951 the petition for writ of certiorari should have been filed with this court. This letter to the Commission stated:

“I am in receipt of your letter of April 8, 1963 and as a result of the last paragraph, I am assuming that there will be no necessity for me to abide by the last paragraph of the Order dated March 11, 1963 wherein I had thirty days to apply to the Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari. I am assuming that the Commission is going to hold further hearings and consultation and that until such time as the consultations and further hearings are held that there will be no necessity to file anything further to keep the case alive.”

*225 Seven days later, on April 17th the Commission responded to the petitioner as follows:

“So there will be no misunderstanding on the processing of Mr. Frank Contreras’ case, we would like to review recent actions.
“As you know, on October 11, 1962 the Commission issued its order terminating temporary compensation as of August 14, 1962 because Mr. Contreras was released to return to regular work by Dr. J. W. Cortner. Mr. Contreras filed petition and Application for rehearing on November 7, 1962, and subsequently hearing was held on February 11, 1963.

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Bluebook (online)
403 P.2d 535, 98 Ariz. 221, 1965 Ariz. LEXIS 264, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/contreras-v-industrial-commission-ariz-1965.