Klemick v. State

14 Ill. Ct. Cl. 100, 1943 Ill. Ct. Cl. LEXIS 37
Court of Claims of Illinois·Decided September 14, 1943·No. No. 3501·Published

Opinion

Fisher, J.

This claim was filed May 18, 1940, and the record of the case completed ón June 8,1943.

The record consists of the complaint, transcript of testimony on behalf of claimant, abstract of evidence, stipulation and statement, brief and argument for claimant and respondent by respective counsel.

Claimant alleges that she was employed as an attendant at the Manteno State Hospital, operated by the Department of Public Welfare, State of Illinois, and that while so employed on or about August 13, 1939, she contracted typhoid fever due to the drinking of contaminated water which was supplied from the wells of the institution; that as a result of this illness, she incurred obligations for medical and hospital services, and that she has become totally and permanently disabled.

Claimant seeks compensation for total permanent disability, and a pension for life as provided by the Workmen’s Compensation Act and the payment of medical expenses incurred by reason of her illness.

No jurisdictional questions are involved, and it is conceded that claimant and respondent were operating under and subject to the provisions of the Workmen’s Compensation Act.

There is no proof whatever in this record that claimant contracted her illness as a result of drinking contaminated water, and no proof of the source of the infection. There is no proof that the water or food furnished by the institution to employees and inmates was in any manner contaminated, or contained typhoid bacilli. The record shows that claimant became ill with typhoid fever while employed by respondent as an attendant at the Manteno State Hospital, and that she was at that time living at the institution. The determination of this claim on its record alone 'would necessitate the denial of an award, for the reason that there is no proof that the injury arose out of and during the course of claimant’s employment.

However, this court has before it for consideration at this September term, 1943, the case of Mary Ade, claimant vs. State of Illinois, respondent, #3429, in which case it is stipulated by respondent that a typhoid fever epidemic existed at the Manteno State Hospital, Manteno, Illinois, from July 10, 1939, to December 10, 1939. By reason of this stipulation of record before us, we have knowledge that a typhoid fever epidemic existed at the Manteno State Hospital from July 10, 1939, to December 10, 1939.

Respondent contends that this claim should not be allowed for the reason that there is no proof that the water in the institution was contaminated with typhoid bacilli.-

In the case of Permanent Construction Company vs. Industrial Commission, 380 Illinois 47, it was held that an injury arises out of the employment when there is apparent to the rational mind, upon consideration of all the circumstances, a causal connection between the conditions under which the work is required to be performed and the resultant injury.

Claimant herein worked as an attendant at the institution during a period of time when a typhoid fever epidemic existed at the institution. Her work required her to care for infected patients; to handle their clothing and otherwise administer to their needs. She contracted typhoid fever. We believe it reasonable to conclude that she contracted her illness during the course of and within the scope of her employment.

The facts herein are similar to the case of Mary Ade #3429 hereinbefore referred to in which case we discussed the law at length, which controls in this case. We conclude that under such facts, a claimant is entitled to the benefits of the Workmen’s Compensation Act.

Claimant was unable to receive proper medical attention from respondent at the time of her illness, and it became necessary for her to secure the services of Doctor Daniel K. Hur. She is therefore entitled to receive from respondent the necessary medical expenses incurred and temporary total disability compensation from the date of her illness; August 14, 1939, until November 22, 1940, the date of the hearing herein, except for the month of June, 1940, during which month claimant was employed and for which she has .been paid. Claimant’s salary including maintenance was $1,044.00 per year or $20.08 per week. Her compensation rate is 50% of her average weekly wage plus 10% or $11.04 per week. She is therefore entitled to receive for temporary total disability $11.04 per week for "61 2/7 weeks or $676.58.

By stipulation herein it is shown that claimant was paid during her illness to August 1, 1940, the sum of $675.70, which was for unproductive time, except the month of June during which she worked. Her salary for June of $63.00 was earned and the balance of $612.70 was for unproductive time, and must be deducted from the sum which she is entitled to receive as compensation.

Claimant incurred medical expenses in the sum of $217.30, and is therefore entitled to have and receive from respondent, medical services $217.30, temporary total disability compensation for 61 2/7 weeks at $11.04 per week or $676.58 or a total of $893.88 less $612.70 payment for unproductive time, leaving balance due claimant of $281.18.

Claimant also asks for permanent total disability compensation equal to the amount, which would have been payable in case of death and a pension thereafter as provided in Section 8, paragraph 20 F. of the Workmen’s Compensation Act.

The evidence herein does not sustain the allegation that claimant has been totally and permanently disabled. There is much testimony as to her disability; that hex eyesight and hearing have been impaired; that she suffered from a blood clot on her leg; that she is suffering from colitis, myocarditis and nervousness and that she is a typhoid carrier.

Doctor Daniel K. Hur testified that claimant’s nervous system was such that she was more or less unstable at the time of his last examination; about November 10,1940, “which was probably due to the long periods of illness in the hospital.” She complained of pains in the joints of the body, but Doctor Hur could not say that this was a result of the typhoid infection. Neither did he say that the colitis and heart condition was a direct result of the typhoid infection. He did say that she is a typhoid carrier, and that this condition would prevent certain kinds of employment, and that “she has to get only a certain kind of a job.”

Claimant may be entitled to additional compensation. Her measure of damages is 50 per cent of the difference between what she was earning at the time of the injury, and what she is now able to earn at suitable employment. (Sec. 8, para. D Workmen’s Compensation Act.)

For the reason that we believe claimant may be entitled to further compensation, we retain jurisdiction of this claim for the purpose of making such further order as may be shown to be proper.

An award is entered in favor of claimant, Helen Klemick, in the sum of Two Hundred Eighty-one Dollars and Eighteen Cents ($281.18), all of which has accrued and is payable forthwith.

This award is subject to the approval of the Governor as provided in Section 3 of “An Act concerning the payment of compensation awards to State employees.”

SUPPLEMENTAL OPINION

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Klemick v. State, 14 Ill. Ct. Cl. 100, 1943 Ill. Ct. Cl. LEXIS 37 (Ill. Super. Ct. 1943).

14 Ill. Ct. Cl. 100 (Klemick v. State) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.