Case ID: mich_320/html/0180-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Sharpe, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

GATHARD v. CAMPBELL, WYANT & CANNON FOUNDRY COMPANY.
    Workmen’s Compensation — Grinder—Dermatitis—Common Labor.
    Operator of a grinder whose job caused her to come in contact with soluble oil and dust that resulted in dermatitis held, not entitled to workmen’s compensation because it rendered her an “odd lot” or “nondescript” employee, where department of labor and industry found that notwithstanding such restriction as to where she could work she was not disabled in the common-labor market and evidence supported such finding of fact.
    Appeal from Department of Labor and Industry.
    Submitted January 6, 1948.
    (Docket No. 2, Calendar No. 43,485.)
    Decided February 16, 1948.
    Grace Gathard presented her claim for compensation against Campbell, Wyant & Cannon Foundry Company, employer, and Michigan Mutual Liability Company, insurer, for dermatitis resulting from her employment. Award to defendant. Plaintiff appeals.
    Affirmed.
    
      Maurice Sugar (Benjamin Marcus and Jerome W. Kelmcm, of counsel), for plaintiff.
    
      L. J. Carey and Geo. J. Cooper, for defendants.
   Sharpe, J.

This is an appeal from an award of the compensation commission of the department of labor and ihdustry denying plaintiff compensation.

Plaintiff began employment with defendant company January 14, 1944, and was paid a weekly wage of $54.60. Prior to the above employment she had never suffered from any skin condition. Her job involved grinding tools and piston rings. In the course of her work, she came in contact with a soluble oil and steel dust. During the month of January, 1945, she developed an irritation on her arms and face. She was laid off from January 29, 1945, to February 12, 1945, during which period her rash cleared up; but when she returned to work her rash reappeared. On February 26, 1945, she left work and remained home until March 12, 1945, when she again returned to work but only for a day as the rash reappeared. She received compensation until May 21, 1945. On May 22,1945, she returned to defehdant’s plant but the company doctor refused to allow her to work in the machine shop. Plaintiff has not had any dermatitis since May 22, 1945.

Plaintiff filed her claim for compensation. The commission in denying an award said:

“The work done by the plaintiff while in the defendant’s employ would have to be classed as common labor or at best semiskilled work.. We do not believe that up to now, at least, it can be said that even with a sensitivity to oil and metal dust that this claimant could be said to be either partially or totally disabled in the common-labor market. ’ ’

Plaintiff urges that her hypersensitivity to oil and dust has so restricted her employment opportunities that she has become an “odd lot” or “nondescript” employee and entitled to compensation.

The department found that plaintiff was not disabled in the common-labor market. There is competent evidence to support such a finding of fact. She has operated a rewinding machine in a paper mill, trimmed the framework and interior of cars, operated ber own tailor sbop, and worked in a dollar store and drug store. Her capacity for work at common labor is not restricted except in shops where she comes in contact with oil and dnst.

The award of the department of labor and industry denying compensation is affirmed, with costs to defendants.

Bushnell, C. J.; and Boyles, Reid, North, Dethmers, Btjtzel, and Carr, JJ., concurred.