Case ID: a2d_560/html/0013-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "WATHEN, Justice.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Sherwood DAVIDSON v. BANCROFT & MARTIN, et al.
    Supreme Judicial Court of Maine.
    Argued March 17, 1989.
    Decided June 19, 1989.
    
      Eve H. Cimmet (orally), Richardson & Troubh, Portland, for plaintiff.
    Kenneth W. Hovermale, Jr. (orally), Bornstein & Hovermale, Portland, for defendant.
    Before McKUSICK, C.J., and ROBERTS, WATHEN, GLASSMAN and CLIFFORD, JJ.
   WATHEN, Justice.

Bancroft & Martin, the employer, appeals from a decision of the Appellate Division of the Workers’ Compensation Commission affirming the Commissioner’s order denying a petition for review of incapacity. The employer argues that the Appellate Division erred in denying the petition in circumstances where at least a portion of the employee’s present incapacity results from a disease process unrelated to his former employment. In a case such as this, the employer is charged with the burden of proving that the work-related injury is no longer a causative factor in producing the employee’s incapacity. Brackett v. A.C. Lawrence Leather Co., 559 A.2d 776 (Me.1989). The record before us does not compel such a finding.

The entry is:

The decision of the Appellate Division of the Workers’ Compensation Commission is affirmed.

It is ordered that the employer pay to the employee $750 for his counsel fees plus his reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for this appeal.

All concurring.