Palle v. Industrial Commission

18 P.2d 299, 81 Utah 372, 1933 Utah LEXIS 34
CourtUtah Supreme Court
DecidedJanuary 18, 1933
DocketNo. 5316.
StatusPublished

This text of 18 P.2d 299 (Palle v. Industrial Commission) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Utah Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Palle v. Industrial Commission, 18 P.2d 299, 81 Utah 372, 1933 Utah LEXIS 34 (Utah 1933).

Opinions

MOFFAT, J.

On January 13, 1932, this court rendered a decision bearing the same title as the instant case. 7 P. (2d) 284, 81 A. L. R. 1222. The record in that case is made a part of the record in this case. In the former case application for compensation was made against J. A. Palle individually, and he only was served with notice or made a party. The evidence given by J. A. Palle and others showed, and the commission found, that the business in which the applicant was employed was a copartnership carried on in the firm name of J. A. Palle & Sons, consisting of J. A. Palle, F. A. Larsen, and H. A. Palle. No notice or jurisdictional steps had been taken to bring the partnership or F. A. Larsen and H. A. Palle before the commission or make them parties to the proceeding, yet the commission rendered a decision against the partnership and the individual members thereof. The decree Was held to be invalid upon the ground

“a suit against one in his individual capacity on only an alleged individual claim, there is not anything in, the pleadings to advise him that the demanded claim is against a partnership or against him as a member of a copartnership, he is under no obligation to set up a nonjoinder of his partners,”

and set aside the award. 7 P. (2d) 284, at page 288, 81 A. L. R. 1222.

The court further found:

“That the finding of the commission to the extent that the partnership in its usual and regular business on the day and at the time of the injury had three men in its service, rendering itself subject to the provisions of the Compensation Act, is sustained by sufficient evidence and is approved. But * * * the order granting the award *374 is annulled and vacated and the cause remanded to the commission with leave to the applicant to apply to the commission for such proper amendments to his application for compensation as he in accordance with the views herein expressed and in the premises may be entitled to.” 7 P. (2d) 284, at page 291, 81 A. L. E. 1222.

In pursuance of the order of this court, the applicant, Lloyd Jensen, filed his “Supplemental Amended Application” with the Industrial Commission on January 27, 1932. Thereupon the commission ordered J. A. Palle, F. A. Larsen, and H. A. Palle “to appear and attend a hearing before the Industrial Commission of Utah to be held at the County Court House at Brigham City, Utah,” on a date specified. Notice of this hearing was served upon the parties together with certified copy of order or resolution of the commission. Issues were joined. The matter was continued, but finally heard and submitted to the commission for decision.

On the 18th of March, 1932, the commission rendered its decision finding that J. A. Palle, F. A. Larsen, and H. A. Palle were copartners, doing business as J. A. Palle & Son; that the applicant was in the employ of the copartnership; that the applicant was injured by reason of an accident arising out of or in the course of his employment; that the co-partnership should be required to pay the applicant as set out in the findings, etc. Petition or application for rehearing was made and denied, and the matter is again before this court on petition for a writ of review.

Three main grounds or issues are urged for the setting aside of the award: (1) That H. A. Palle and F. A. Larsen were denied their day in court upon the issues tendered; (2) that the plaintiffs were denied their right of trial by jury; and (3) that this last proceeding is barred because not initiated within one year from the date of the injury. After the issues were joined and the matter called for hearing, the record shows:

“Commissioner Knerr, addressing Mr. Jones, counsel for plaintiffs: It is my understanding, Mr. Jones, that in paragraph 1 you admit *375 that J. A. Palle, F. A. Larsen, and H. A. Palle were a copartnership, doing business as J. A. Palle & Sons?
“Mr. Jones: Yes, we admit that, Mr. Knerr. These statements settle the question as to the parties and their being properly before the commission.”

The commissioner then proceeded to read from the answer of the defendants, and, as the various paragraphs were completed, announced: “This issue was before the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court has already judicially determined that question.” The issues thus summarily disposed of as contended by plaintiffs related to: (1) The partnership having three or more operatives regularly employed; (2) that the injury was sustained because of disobedience of orders (3) that the employment was casual and not in the course of business; (4) that applicant was a domestic servant; (5) that the failure to secure protection was not willful; and (6) that costs on appeal had not been paid.

It was then announced by Mr. Knerr:

“The Commission will proceed to take evidence on the issues before us. Are you ready Mr. Jones?
“Mr. Jones: lam.
“Mr. Horsley (counsel for defendant Lloyd Jensen) : May it be stipulated at this time that the record of the hearing which was had at the beginning of this case shall be offered and are now offered and considered as a part of the record in this hearing, in order to eliminate repetition of all that testimony?
“Mr. Jones: I think we can stipulate on that Mr. Horsley. Of course I take it that under the Commission’s ruling that only those parts will be considered that are pertinent to the issues as determined by the Commission.
“Com. Knerr: Yes, as I understand it the entire record is now made a part of this proceeding to be considered by the Commission.
“Mr. Jones: So far as the issues are made up.
“Com. Knerr: So far as it pertains to any issues in this ease.” (Italics added.)

Then at the close of the taking of testimony the following colloquy occurred:

*376 “Mr. Jones: That is all'we have.
“Com. Knerr: You have no desire to offer any additional evidence?
“Mr. Jones: Not on the issues as now made up.
“Com. Knerr: You don’t have any additional evidence?
“Mr. Jones: No.
“Com. Knerr: Are you willing to submit the case on the record?
“Mr. Jones: Yes.”

This court is convinced from the record thus made that the plaintiffs were not denied the right to be heard upon any issue upon which they may have desired to submit evidence. The discussion between the commissioner and counsel does not reveal that full candor and freedom that might have characterized the discussion of such a situation. Certain mental reservations or possible implications on the part of counsel that the proceeding was going forward on one basis while the Commissioner had another in mind may possibly be inferred.

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Bluebook (online)
18 P.2d 299, 81 Utah 372, 1933 Utah LEXIS 34, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/palle-v-industrial-commission-utah-1933.