National Zinc Company v. Thomas

1976 OK 105, 554 P.2d 1
CourtSupreme Court of Oklahoma
DecidedJuly 27, 1976
Docket48076
StatusPublished
Cited by17 cases

This text of 1976 OK 105 (National Zinc Company v. Thomas) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of Oklahoma primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
National Zinc Company v. Thomas, 1976 OK 105, 554 P.2d 1 (Okla. 1976).

Opinion

DOOLIN, Justice.

Petitioners, hereafter Respondents, seek review of an order awarding additional compensation for increased disability resulting from change of condition for the worse subsequent to the last prior order.

Claim for compensation, filed after retirement in 1968, alleged disability from pulmonary emphysema caused by occupational disease. Medical evidence was in agreement as to Claimant’s total permanent disability, but in severe conflict as to cause of disability.

Claimant presented medical reports of three examining physicians. One did not evaluate disability, but did not consider industrial exposure highly significant in regard to condition. Another found 50% diminished breathing capacity, but considered exposure to working conditions caused and aggravated emphysema and further strained Claimant’s diseased heart.

Dr. M. T. B., Jr,, reported findings consistent with ischemia of left ventricle and possible old myocardial infarction analyzed breathing tests and evaluated disability:

“In summary, Mr. Thomas does have ar-teriosclerotic heart disease with atrial fibrillation and myocardial ischemia. He has dilatation of the thoracic aorta and possibly a fusiform aneurism. He does have pulmonary emphysema. It is my opinion that the pulmonary emphysema was aggravated, accelerated and possibly precipitated by his exposure to smoke and fumes at the National Zinc Plant. And that this condition of pulmonary emphysema further aggravates his cardiac and vascular statis. In my opinion this man is 100% permanently disabled to the body as a whole as a result of this-combination of diseases.”

On April 15, 1969, a Trial Judge approved Form 14 agreement settling permanent partial disability resulting from emphysema and heart condition for 35% disability to body as a whole resulting from occupational disease. The approved Form 14 recited settlement for injury to lungs, although agreement executed specified, and medical evidence showed disability to heart question as to causation.

On July 20, 1973, Claimant moved to reopen the case for change of condition for the worse. Upon hearing, Claimant testi *3 fied his primary complaint was shortness of breath and this condition was worse than in 1969, because unable to mow his lawn or walk more than two blocks without resting. He had been unable to work since 1969, and remained totally disabled.

Respondents introduced a report from Dr. W., based upon review of earlier findings, and an extensive physical examination. Claimant had considerable cardiac involvement which had increased since retirement, and slight increase in pulmonary emphysema. The report concluded:

“ * * * I would agree at this time that the percentage of disability allowed for pulmonary and heart disease was proper. I feel that the increase in severity of these problems at this time is related to normal progression of these diseases, and would not suspect that this could be related to his employment, since he has not worked since his initial disability was given.”

Claimant’s medical evidence concerning change of condition consisted of a report from Dr. M. T. B., Jr., stating further examination showed vital capacity had decreased and Claimant was shorter of breath than when examined originally. Disability was evaluated:

“On examination, he is more short of breath than he was in the previous examination. His Vital Capacity has decreased and the One-Second Vital Capacity has decreased.”
“It is my opinion that this man is still 100% permanently disabled to the body as a whole to do ordinary manual labor and his condition has deteriorated since the previous examination.”

A Trial Judge found Claimant had sustained change of condition for the worse resulting from heart condition and emphysema set forth in Form 14 settlement. These conditions arose out of and in course of employment and resulted in permanent total disability, which represented increase of 65% disability due to change of condition. An order awarding additional compensation for 325 weeks was affirmed by State Industrial Court on en banc appeal.

Respondents assert State Industrial Court lacked jurisdiction to make any order because Claimant was totally permanently disabled when settlement was made, and remained totally disabled when the case was reopened for alleged change of condition. This conclusion rests upon our decision in Brown Bros. v. Parks, 176 Okl. 615, 56 P.2d 883, which announced these rules:

“1. The State Industrial Commission has a continuing power and jurisdiction to review its award on the ground of a change in condition only, and the award is final and conclusive on all questions within its jurisdiction unless proceedings are commenced in this court within 30 days after the renditibn thereof to review said award and decision.
“2. A change in condition which will authorize an additional award by the State Industrial Commission must be based upon a physical change in the ability of the employee to perform work or labor and must occur subsequent to the last preceding order or award made by the commission in the employee’s favor.”

To support this order, Claimant points to statutory authority, 85 O.S.1971, § 28, for reopening awards and cites numerous decisions expressing recognized principles assertedly dispositive of the present case. Summarized, these decisions hold a claim for additional benefits for change of condition is not foreclosed by a prior, adverse final order unless the issues in the later proceeding were concluded by the Trial Court’s prior adjudication. Nuway Laundry Company v. Hacker (Okla.1964), 396 P.2d 659. An award for change of condition is authorized when proof shows a physical change for the worse has lessened ability to labor and perform work, is attributable to the original injury and has occurred since the last prior order or award. Friendly Chevrolet Company v. *4 Pointer (Okla.1970), 472 P.2d 437. State Industrial Court finding as to extent of disability resulting’ from change of condition is a question of fact which will not be disturbed on review when supported by competent evidence. Holliman Drilling Company v. Herrell (Okla.1964), 397 P.2d 148.

Although undoubtedly a correct statement of principles applicable to adjudication of change of condition, inapplicability of these decisions as basis for upholding the present order is apparent.

Medical evidence offered to establish injury in 1969 unqualifiedly established claimant was totally and permanently disabled. The evidence was conflicting as to causation of disability. Medical reports of two physicians for claimant acknowledged existence of heart condition, aggravated by pulmonary emphysema induced by industrial exposure. Dr. M. T. B., Jr. recognized claimant’s heart problems, and considered his findings consistent with ischemia and possible old myocardial infarction. The emphysema aggravated claimant’s cardiovascular status.

Respondent’s medical evidence reflected claimant was afflicted chiefly by hypertensive arteriosclerotic heart disease, which combined with emphysema to produce shortness of breath.

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1976 OK 105, 554 P.2d 1, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/national-zinc-company-v-thomas-okla-1976.