McGarrigle v. Grangeville Electric Light & Power Co.

97 P.2d 402, 60 Idaho 690, 1939 Ida. LEXIS 88

• Court: Idaho Supreme Court
• Decided: November 14, 1939
• Docket: No. 6718.
• Status: Published

Opinions

AILSHIE, C. J. —

Appellant Grangeville Electric Lighi; & Power Company was constructing a dam on the South Fork of the Clearwater River east of Grangeville. The company was operating a mechanical hoist with a chain attached on c nd of a cable; they were excavating for a reservoir. August 22, 1918, respondent, then aged 49 years (employed by apjellant), “was stooping over” putting the chain on a rock, and as the mast on hoist was raised the heavy chain caught him in the left side and back, “injuring kidney and spleen.” As a result of the injuries received, operations were performed on respondent for the removal of the spleen and left kidney; there was also a general visceroptosis of the liver, rupture of the abdominal wall and the development of varicose veils. “First Notice of Injury and Preliminary Application,” daled August 23, 1918, signed by both the claimant and the employer, was filed with the Industrial Accident Board August 26th. This was merely a notice of the accident and simply described when and how it occurred and informed the board and the state insurance fund that a swinging chain “hit his back,” and that the injury received was “under short ribs on left side seems to bother bowels most.” This notice was on a printed form furnished by the state insurance fund and opened with the following sentence:

“I hereby make application to the State Insurance Fund for the payment of money guaranteed on account of the injury to me hereinafter described, and hereby request that all forms and blanks necessary for the proper proof of my claim be furnished to me, free of charge.”

No further notice or claim appears ever to have been given or made.

The state insurance fund at once commenced the payment of hospital bills, doctors’ and nurses’ charges and compensation. January 24, 1919, the claimant (respondent) caused a letter to be typewritten and mailed to the state insurance fund which is as follows:

“Dear Sir:

“Calling your attention to my injury on August 22, 1918, while in the employ of the Grangeville Electric Light and Power Co., I beg to advise you that I have sustained a partial disability and will be unable hereafter to engage in my usual employment as heretofore.

“I have received your regular remittance, which I appreciate very much, but I would be glad to know upon what basis you would be willing to make final settlement with me, and if it would be possible for your department, if necessary, to make a further examination of my case with a view of making final settlement in the matter.

‘ ‘ I understand that you have before you the report of Dr. "White in this matter, but if other information is desired by you I would be glad to have an investigation at an early date to arrive at a final settlement in the matter.

“Yours very truly,

“ed McGarrigle.”

While signed by claimant, this letter was written on the stationery of S. 0. Tannahill, attorney at law, of Lewiston, and was evidently written after consultation with someone in the law office. January 28th the state insurance manager replied to the foregoing letter as follows:

“Replying to your communication of January 24th:

“We will pay you for total disability until your physician pronounces you as surgically healed at which time paynent of compensation for your permanent disability will bigin. We have not as yet received a Final Report from Dr. White stating that you have been discharged from further metical treatment. Dr. White should send in his Final Report and Fee Bill as soon as you are dismissed from his services.

“Our Medical Adviser, Dr. E. T. Biwer, is contemplating a visit to your section of the country in the near future ar.d I will have him visit you and at that time he can ascertain the amount of your disability and compensation will be paid accordingly.

“STATE INSURANCE MANAGER."

February 22, 1919, Dr. White of the Lewiston Hospital wrote the state insurance manager as follows:

“Mr. D. W. Church,

“State Insurance Manager;

“Boise, Idaho;

‘ ‘ Dear Sir:—

“Please find enclosed final Physicians Report and also Fee bill for Mr. Ed. McGarrigle an employee of ‘The Grangeville Light & Power Co.’ This Fee bill includes everything up to the time Mr. McGarrigle was surgically healed which iras February 13, 1919. Mr. McGarrigle is still here in our hospital as he is unwilling to leave at present our report as 3 mi will notice shows Mr. McGarrigle discharged. We will call in a consultant as per your request and will keep Mr. MeGarrigle here pending jmir instructions.

“Mr. McGarrigle’s right kidney seems unable to hold a steady balance in taking up the work of both kidneys also patient complains a great deal of pain in the bowels seemingly due to gas. We have been unable to get the bowels regulated since the operation without constant medication. I am unable to place a fair estimate on Mr. McGarrigle’s partial disability; but will be glad to take this up with your Medical Advisor when he reaches Lewiston.

“Trusting that I may hear from you as soon as possible, I beg to remain

“Very truly yours,

“EDGAR L. WHITE.”

March 6th following, Dr. Biwer, medical adviser to the state insurance fund, wrote the industrial accident board. His letter is as follows:

“3-6-19

“Industrial Accident Board, Building.

Be: Case of Ed. McGarrigle.

‘ ‘ Gentlemen :

“This case has now reached the stage where cognizance must be given to the residual disability and the claimant provided with compensation in such amount, undeir the Workmen’s Compensation Act, as is compatible with such residual disability.

“By virtue of the accident sustained by the claimant in the present case, he suffered the loss of two major organs of the body, each of large importance, the spleen and one kidney.

“In making an award in this ease, it is necessary to attempt to determine as nearly as possible the effect that his loss will have on the claimant so far as his future is concerned.

“The spleen is classed by anatomists as a ductless gland, the function of which has not yet been definitely determined, the concensus of opinion, however, favoring the supposition that it is primarily concerned with the generation of the red corpuscles of the blood and there are many facts known with regard to the spleen which tend to give strong support to this theory. It is not deemed necessary to go into a detailed discussion of the physiology of this organ since such discussion would not be of material aid in adjudicating this case. Removal of the spleen is not a rare operation and the phenomena following such operation have been of various kinds, so that it is quite impossible to estimate what the results will be in any given case; however, in the majority of cases the lymph glands and bone marrow have appar ently assumed the functions of the spleen with no apparent adverse effect on the person.

“The kidneys are excretory organs designed for the elimination of the waste products of metabolism, and nature has provided generously in supplying two such organs for the use of the body against the possibility of injury or disease of one of them.

“Death would speedily result if both kidneys were removed and where but one is removed through disease or accident, the other undergoes compensatory .hypertrophy under stress of the necessity of subserving the metabolism of the individual.

“Where such compensation of function is established:, as it is in the majority of eases, the person suffering excision of one kidney may live to a well advanced age, but he would be considered a very poor risk for life insurance;, so much so that policies are not written where the applicant has but one kidney.

“Kidneys .through their function of elimination of waste products and poisons of the body are very apt to become diseased and that tendency is materially increased wiere but one kidney remains to perform this function anc. of necessity, injury to the remaining kidney must result in death.

“No information is at hand to enable the writer to estimate the effect of the simultaneous loss of the spleen and one kidney but the probability is that the combined loss does not materially increase the jeopardy of the claimant.

“It can well be considered in this case that the claimant, Ed. McGarrigle, has suffered a fifty per centum loss in his defensive apparatus because of the many afflictions to which he is liable and any one of which would result in extreme disaster to him, or expressed in different terms, because; of his present disability, he is not more than fifty per cencum normal.

“Since total disability, under the provisions of the Workmen’s Compensation Act, provides compensation to the person totally disabled of 400 weeks, and since, in the judgment of the writer, this claimant has fifty per centum of total disability, it is recommended that permanent disability award of two hundred weeks’ compensation be made in this ease.

“ETB :A

“-M. D.

“Dr. E. T. BIWER, Medical Adviser.” Thereafter and on March 12th, D. W. Church, state insurance manager, filed with the Industrial Accident Board an official document entitled “SUMMARY AND AWARD Non-Fatal Case.” This document reads as follows:

“Sim Form 66

State Insurance Manager

Risk No. - SUMMARY AND AWARD Accident No. 3084

Manual No. - Non-Fatal Case Claim No. 455

[Received Mar. 12 1919 I.A.B.]

Injured Person — Ed. McGarrigle Employer — Grangeville Electric

Light & Power Co.

Address — Lewiston, Ida. Business—

Address — Grangeville, Ida.

Occupation — Laborer Premiums paid to — -

Character of Injury — Bruise over left side and back injuring kidney and spleen.

Date of accident — 8/22/18 Actual Wages, $5/06

Date able to resume work— @ Wages, $

Actual time lost — 24 weeks 5 days

Less first 7 days — 23 weeks 5 days Previous claim—

AWARD OF PARTIAL PAYMENTS DURING DISABILITY

Payment Dis- Recom- Date Voucher Week to Amount ability mendation Approved Paid Number

Claim C.M. Corn-Clerk Advisor missioner

Cheeked and Entered Actuary

23 5/7 8/28-2/12 288/00 Compensation up to time pronounced surgically healed T.T.D.

2 2/7 2/12-2/28 29/57 “ on total disability paid 3/1/19

200 2400/00 “ allowed as per letter of recommendation 3/6/19

5/00 Medical Benefits — Dr. P. J. Seallon

62/00 “ “ —Dr. G. S. Stockton

10/00 “ “ —Dr. F. P. Nourse

16/00 “ “ —Hazel Calhoun — - Nurse

39/51 Expense of trip from Lewiston to Boise & return

625/30 Hospital & Medical Benefits — Tho White Hospital

FINAL SETTLEMENT RECOMMENDATION:

136/45 Hospital Benefits — Imperial Hotel

5/00 Ambulanee — Central Garage

6/75 Glanville Drug Co.

3594/01 Total

1223/58 Paid

2370/43 to he paid at rate of 52/00 per month beginning April 1, 1919. Balance

Recommended that injured man be allowed 52/00 per month for 50% of total disability for 200 weeks and 13/00 per month or 50% of 6/00 per week for the rest of his life after period of 200 weeks shall have been paid.

D. W. Church

Approved 3/14/1919 State Insurance Manager

Industrial Accident Board Geo. H. Fisher Chairman

Investigated and award as above stated recommended

F. J. Clayton " Approved and ordered paid

Secretary 19---

Chief Medical Adviser

M. A. Atkinson

Claim Clerk JHG Chairman

Date of Final Voucher Sheet No. Entered in Claim Ledger Settlement Number by

3084 Reviewed and certified correct

Actuary

F. J. Clayton was then a member of the board.

April 6, 1919, the claimant wrote the board as follows:

“Walla Walla Wash.

4-6-1919

“State Insurance Manager

“Dear Sir I have a account with the first national bank in lewiston and wish the check sent there if You can give them primission to sign the reeeits I have explained Matters but the bank wants a statement from you I think I am improving a little and there are some work that I could do and that is why I am moving around

“Yours resp.

ed McGarrigle”

Payments were made regularly, from the time the foregoing report was made by the state insurance manager and approved by the board, in accordance with the terms and provisions of the approved recommendation. January 8, 1923, claimant wrote the State Insurance Fund as follows:

“1/8/1923

“Received your draft for final payment what the future hold for me I dont know I am living in a tent at present health conditions is as good as could be expected under the circumstances.

“Sincerely thanking you for fevours

received

“I remain yours truly

Again May 10th claimant wrote the insurance manager, saying:

“5/10/1923

“Lewiston Idaho

“Dear sir

as february 1,3 was four yaers from date of settlement and believing that the thirteen dollars pr month are due from that time I would like to hear from you as I certainly need all that is rightly incomming.

“resp your

“ed McGarrigle.

“Clarkston Wash

“geni delivery” (Italics supplied.)

In reply to the last-quoted letter, the insurance manager wrote the claimant as follows:

“May 15, 1923 #45 5

“Mr. Ed McGarrigle,

“General Delivery,

“Clarkston, Wn.

“Your letter of the 10th received.

“In reviewing your case we find that the entry of your award made on our pension record under past administration was for the two-hundred week period only, no mention being made of the payment of $13.00 per month after the expiration of the two hundred weeks. Therefor it was considered that final payment of your award had been made the 20th of December, last. The two hundred weeks expired on December 17, 1922, and we are therefor starting the payment of the $13.00 per month beginning as of December 18th, 1922.

“Enclosed is our draft for $70.40 in payment of all compensation to June 1st, 1923, computed as follows:

Dec. 18th to Dec. 31, 13 days, $5.40

Jan. 1 to June 1, 5 months 65.00

$70.40

“Payments will be continued hereafter at the rate of $13.00 per month beginning with July 1st.

“Thanking you for calling this error to our attention, We are,

“Yours truly,

“STATE INSURANCE FUND

<(

By

Manager

“CJS

“Ene. dft”

The payments of $13 per month were continued regularly from that time to February 28, 1939, when claimant, through his attorney, filed a “Petition for Review,” alleging that he was totally disabled and as such was entitled to compensation for total permanent disability; that he had never had a hearing before the board and that the board was, March 14, 1919, without jurisdiction or authority to make an award. The matter was heard on the petition and the board held that no valid award had ever been made, that claimant’s injuries were total and permanent, and made an award accordingly. The matter is here upon the appeal of the Grangeville Electric Light & Power Co. and the state insurance fund.

There is no controversy now7 and never has been as to the happening of the accident and resultant injury; both facts are admitted. The notice of the accident was joined in by both the employer and employee the next day after the accident, in accordance with the requirements of secs. 30 and 31 of the compensation act (chap. 81, 1917 Sess. Laws; secs. 43-1202 and 1203, I. C. A.) Under sec. 31, “The notice may include the claim’’ but that is unnecessary. It may be, and generally is, made separately and later. In this ease it would have been impossible, at the time of giving the notice, to detail or foretell the character or extent of the injury which would result. There was, as far as the record discloses, never any dispute or controversy between the claimant and the employer or insurer, nor between the claimant and the board, as to the occurrence of the accident, the nature and extent of the injury or the amount or degree of disability which resulted until February, 1939 (20 years after the accident), when claimant’s present petition for review was filed.

No complaint or unadjusted claim was pending during any of this lapse of time; the board had exercised its authority and jurisdiction in approving the recommendation of the medical adviser to the manager of the state insurance fund and in awarding compensation. That action on the part of the board appears to have met the approval of both the employee and the employer as well as the state insurance fund, and it has been accepted and payments have been made and received in accordance therewith for these 20 years without dissent or complaint of any kind, during which time $5,257.66 has been paid in monthly benefits, besides medical, nurses’ and hospital charges.

Under these conditions and circumstances it seems clear to us that the document heretofore referred to as “'Summary and Award Non-Fatal Case,” being the recommendation of the state insurance manager, approved by the industrial accident board, had been accepted and considered by all parties interested as the order and aivari of the board duly and regularly made in this case; and it is now too late for any of the parties to be allowed to cuestión its regularity. As to the jurisdiction of the board to make the order, there is no room for serious doubt. Neither can there be any doubt but that claimant knew and understood at all times the nature, character and extent of the order that had been made under which he was receiving benefits and compensation. The above-quoted correspondence abundantly establishes that fact. It would be a dangerous and hazardous precedent to allow such orders to be opened up after so long a time and under such circumstances. This surpasses all known statutes of limitations and extends far into the field of laches and stale claims.

In our consideration of this case, we have not overlooked the cases of Eldridge v. State Penitentiary, 54 Ida. 213, 30 Pac. (2d) 781, Hanson v. Independent School Dist. 57 Ida. 297, 65 Pac. (2d) 733, and other Idaho cases citec. by respondent. We entertain no purpose whatever of departing in any respect from the rules announced in those decisions. We are convinced, however, that the ins;ant case is very different in its facts from any one of the cases cited and is not controlled by the rules there considered.

The argument has been advanced here that claimant is now an old man, badly in need of assistance and that $13 per month is not sufficient to afford him subsistence. This is all no doubt true but that furnishes no legitimate reason for the making of an award that is not justified by the statute. The Workmen’s Compensation Act is purely a product of the legislature and does not contemplate affording anyone an adequate livelihood but is rather based on a schedule of a compensation arbitrarily fixed for certain specified injuries. That schedule seldom, if ever, affords the workman sufficient compensation to recompense him for his loss of earning power or to afford him a livelihood. The schedule of compensation is simply the legislative fiat which accident boards and courts cannot alter.

The proceedings on which the present order was made are fully as irregular and summary as those on which the original order was made. Here no evidence whatever was introduced except the testimony of the claimant himself and a neighbor who had seen him intermittently since 1922. No medical testimony was introduced. The record, however, of the original proceedings, comprising the correspondence, the reports of the doctors, recommendation of the medical adviser, and the award as above set out, was introduced, Time had not changed or improved them. It should be remembered that these had all been taken ex parte and constituted the evidence on which the first order was made, which it is now claimed was ex parte and without jurisdiction. In passing, it should be remembered that the Workmen’s Compensation Act says: “the procedure under this act shall be summary and simple” (italics supplied) and that it contemplates, at least in part, ex parte investigation by the board. (See secs. 43-1401, 43-1403-4.) There was no legal evidence before the board at this recent hearing sufficient to establish the fact that claimant had suffered a total disability prior to the time he wrote his letter of May 10, 1923, making inquiry about his monthly payments and asking that they be continued; nor did he make any complaint at that time of total disability.

There is evidence in the record which may be deemed sufficient to establish the fact that claimant is now to>tally disabled; that is no doubt the combined result of the accident and advancing age.

In the light of the record that is presented to us, and under the peculiar circumstances of the case, we think there is sufficient showing to support a finding as to change in condition from partial disability to total permanent disability at this time and that the order may properly be affirmed as to the weekly payments of $6, dating from the filing of claimant’s petition (Feb. 28, 1939) for a review on the theory of changed condition. The rest of the order should be reversed and vacated, and it is so ordered. No costs awarded.

Budge, Givens and Holden, JJ., concur.