Krama v. Parker Rust Proof Co.

271 N.W. 707, 279 Mich. 131, 1937 Mich. LEXIS 721

• Court: Michigan Supreme Court
• Decided: March 1, 1937
• Docket: Docket No. 11, Calendar No. 39,168.
• Status: Published

Opinion

Wiest, J.

Plaintiff’s husband, while in the employ of defendant Parker Rust Proof Company, received an injury resulting in, the loss of two fingers and the thumb of his right hand. Compensation was by agreement, filed with the department, for $18 per week, for 110 weeks; that being the maximum fixed by statute for such disability (2 Comp. Laws 1929, § 8426). At the expiration of 75 weeks the employee died from a cause wholly apart from the injuries. Thereupon, plaintiff, individually and as administratrix of his estate, petitioned for the balance of the 110 weeks’ compensation.

The department applied the terms of the statute, 2 Comp. Laws 1929, § 8428, reading:

“The death of the injured employee prior to the expiration of the period within which he would receive such weekly payments shall be deemed to end such disability, and all liability for the remainder of such payments which he would have received in case lie had lived shall be terminated, but the employer shall thereupon be liable for the following death benefits in lieu of any further disability indemnity.”

The death benefits only apply in case the injury was the proximate cause of death. Loss of several fingers and a thumb, in one accident, is the total sum of periods of disability for the loss of fingers and a thumb separately. King v. Davidson, 195 Mich. 157; Lovalo v. Michigan Stamping Co., 202 Mich. 85.

Counsel for plaintiff seek to draw a distinguishing line between weekly allowance for general disability and the specific weekly allowance for loss of a thumb and fingers. The allowance was payable on a weekly basis and no such distinguishing line can be drawn.

Affirmed, with costs.

Fead, C. J., and North, Bushnell, Sharpe; and Potter, JJ., concurred. Butzel and Chandler, JJ., did not sit.