Case Name: Employers' Mutual Insurance Co., et al. v. The Industrial Commission, et al.
Court: Colorado Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Colorado
Decision Date: 1921-06-06
Citations: 70 Colo. 228
Docket Number: No. 10,021
Parties: Employers’ Mutual Insurance Co., et al. v. The Industrial Commission, et al.
Judges: 
Reporter: Colorado Reports
Volume: 70
Pages: 228–229

Head Matter:
No. 10,021.
Employers’ Mutual Insurance Co., et al. v. The Industrial Commission, et al.
Decided June 6, 1921.
Proceeding under the workmen’s compensation act. Judgment for claimant.
Affirmed.
1. Workmen’s Compensation — Loss of Vision. Under the workmen’s compensation act, an employe who has sustained “almost complete loss of vision,” so that the remaining vision is of no value from a working standpoint, is entitled to the maximum award.
2. Award, — Computation. In cases of disability, the ratio of the award to the maximum, should be the ratio of the proved, to total disability. <
3. Words and Phrases — “Disability.” “Disability,” as used in the workmen’s compensation act, means disability to work.
Error to the District Court of the City and County of Denver, Hon. Charles C. Butler, Judge.
Mr. Frank C. West, for plaintiffs in error.
Mr. Victor E. Keyes, attorney general, Mr. John S. Fine, assistant, for defendants in error.
Department Two.

Opinion:
Mr. Justice Denison
delivered the opinion of the court.
The Industrial Commission awarded defendant in error, Benke, full compensation ($1,040.) under § 73 of the Workmen's Compensation Act of 1919, for total blindness of the right eye. It is agreed that he lost but ninety per cent of the eye's sight and retained ten per cent. The commission made a finding of "almost complete loss of vision" in the injured eye, and "That the amount of vision now remaining is of no value from a working standpoint." Under such finding the award was right. Ind. Com. v. Johnson, 64 Colo. 461, 172 Pac. 422.
The question is one of per cent of disability not of blindness. § 73, par. g. In case of disability under the schedule in said section, the ratio of the award to the maximum should be the ratio of the proved disability to total disability, S. L. 1919, 729, par. g; and disability in the statute means disability to work. When, therefore, an eye is rendered of no use in work it is totally disabled and the award should be the maximum.
Judgment affirmed.
Mr. Justice Teller, sitting for Mr. Chief Justice Scott, and Mr. Justice Whitford concur.