Title: State ex rel. Maynard v. Indus. Comm.

State: ohio

Issuer: Ohio Supreme Court

Document:

[Cite as State ex rel. Maynard v. Indus. Comm., 97 Ohio St.3d 263, 2002-Ohio-6319.] 
 
 
THE STATE EX REL. MAYNARD v. INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION OF OHIO. 
[Cite as State ex rel. Maynard v. Indus. Comm., 97 Ohio St.3d 263, 2002-Ohio-
6319.] 
Workers’ compensation — Mandamus sought to compel Industrial Commission 
to increase relator’s death benefit to the statutory maximum of 100 
percent of the statewide average weekly wage under R.C. 4123.59 — 
Writ denied — Zupp v. Youngstown Fire Dept. and State ex rel. Pickrel 
v. Indus. Comm., followed. 
(No. 2001-1386 — Submitted October 15, 2002 — Decided December 4, 2002.) 
IN MANDAMUS. 
__________________ 
 
Per Curiam. 
{¶1} 
Decedent Donald E. Maynard’s 1996 workers’ compensation claim 
was allowed for “malignant neoplasm and mesothelioma.”  In 1997, he filed for 
permanent total disability compensation (“PTD”) but died from his industrial 
condition before the application was adjudicated. 
{¶2} 
Relator Marjorie Maynard, widow-claimant herein, successfully 
moved respondent Industrial Commission of Ohio for accrued PTD pursuant to 
R.C. 4123.60.  She followed with an application for death benefits under R.C. 
4123.59. 
{¶3} 
That application was also granted, and the Bureau of Workers’ 
Compensation fixed the rate of weekly benefits at $458.32—66 2/3rds percent of 
decedent’s average weekly wage.  Widow-claimant sought to have the rate 
increased to the statutory maximum of 100 percent of the statewide average 
weekly wage, which for the applicable date was $521.  That motion was denied. 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
2 
{¶4} 
This cause is now before this court as an original action in 
mandamus. 
{¶5} 
Widow-claimant asserts that R.C. 4123.59(B) requires that her 
weekly benefit be increased to the statutory maximum.  We disagree. 
{¶6} 
Pursuant to our decisions in Zupp v. Youngstown Fire Dept. 
(1988), 37 Ohio St.3d 202, 525 N.E.2d 9, and State ex rel. Pickrel v. Indus. 
Comm. (1989), 43 Ohio St.3d 128, 539 N.E.2d 623, a writ of mandamus is hereby 
denied. 
Writ denied. 
 
MOYER, C.J., DOUGLAS, PFEIFER, COOK and LUNDBERG STRATTON, JJ., 
concur. 
 
RESNICK, J., dissents. 
 
F.E. SWEENEY, J., dissents and would grant the writ. 
__________________ 
 
ALICE ROBIE RESNICK, J., dissenting. 
{¶7} 
I would grant the writ of mandamus. 
__________________ 
 
Mark Aalyson, for relator. 
 
Betty D. Montgomery, Attorney General, and Dennis L. Hufstader, 
Assistant Attorney General, for respondent. 
__________________