Murray City v. Industrial Commission

183 P. 331, 55 Utah 44, 1919 Utah LEXIS 86
Utah Supreme Court·Decided July 31, 1919·No. No. 3372·Published·Cited by 4 cases

Opinion

GIDEON, J.

It is admitted that the plaintiff, Murray City, as an employer, is subject to the provisions of the act of the Legislature commonly known as the Industrial Commission Act. It appears that on or about August 25, 1917, one David Hazel-dine was employed by the plaintiff city, and was at that date assisting in loading with a shovel slag upon a wagon. Charles White, a teamster, in leveling the slag throAvn upon the wagon, while in the act of bringing back his shovel, struck Hazeldine a very slight blow on the neck with one end of the shovel handle. A state of paralysis followed,-which particularly affected the left side of the body. A petition was filed by Hazeldine with the defendant commission praying for such relief as he might be entitled to receive. Hearing was had, and an order made by the commission, directing that the plaintiff, Murrayv City, pay to the claimant, Hazeldine, the sum of eight dollars and seventy-three cents per week beginning September 5, 1917, and to continue so long as the disability lasts. Thereafter, on petition of Murray City, a rehearing was granted and additional testimony taken, whereupon the commission adhered to and reaffirmed its former decision. The plaintiff city, being dissatisfied with the award of the commission, in pursuance of Comp. Laws Utah 1917, section 3087, being section 27 of the original act of 1917, filed its complaint in the district court of Salt Lake county, asking that said award be set aside, vacated, or amended, on the ground that the decision was unreasonable and unlawful, and that said decision was not supported by evidence, but was •contrary to the evidence, and that the applicant did not receive a personal injury by accident arising out of and in the course of his, employment. To that complaint the commission answered, making certain admissions and .denials. Among other things it was alleged “that the court is without jurisdiction to hear evidence in the case, and that its jurisdiction is limited to reviewing the record made by the commission, ” To [46] the answer was attached and filed with the- clerk of the court a copy of the proceedings and testimony taken before- the commission. The trial court seems to hav§ treated the answer as a demurrer, and, after argument, overruled the same, entered judgment in favor of the plaintiff city vacating and setting aside the award made by the defendant commission. From that judgment or order the commission appeals to this court.

There is no dispute that the petitioner Hazeldine was, on the date mentioned, in the employ of the city. Neither is there any dispute that he received a slight blow in the course of his employment from the end of the shovel handle in the hands of the witness White, either by Hazeldine walking against it or by White pulling it back in leveling the slag upon his wagon. It is also conceded that it was not such a blow or contact as to cause any abrasion or make any mark or bruise upon the skin. Immediately following this, however, Hazeldine became sick; was given some assistance by his fellow workmen; was later, during the same afternoon, taken to the physician’s office. On the following morning paralysis had developed so as to be, as stated by the doctor, complete.

The question for determination by this court is: Ts there any substantial evidence in the record to support the finding of the commission that the injury resulted from an accident received while in the course of employment?

It is conceded in the argument of counsel for Murray City that if the evidence of the physician connects the stroke of paralysis with the injury the decision of the Industrial Commission should be sustained. It is likewise conceded by the Attorney General, appearing for the commission, that if the award can be supported such support must be found in the testimony of the attending physician. Dr. Rothwell, as his is the only testimony that connects- the paralysis with the accident. We think it advisable, therefore, to set out' all of the testimony given by the physician bearing upon or material to the finding of the commission on that point. It is as follows;

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Murray City v. Industrial Commission, 183 P. 331, 55 Utah 44, 1919 Utah LEXIS 86 (Utah 1919).

183 P. 331 (Murray City v. Industrial Commission) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

Related

Denver & R. G. W. R. System v. Industrial Commission
243 P. 800 (Utah Supreme Court, 1926)
D. R.G.W. v. Ind. Com.
243 P. 800 (Utah Supreme Court, 1926)
Amalgamated Sugar Co. v. Industrial Commission
189 P. 69 (Utah Supreme Court, 1920)
Industrial Commission v. Murray City
188 P. 274 (Utah Supreme Court, 1920)