Case Name: ALICE T. WESTENDORF v. CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY AND ANOTHER
Court: Minnesota Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Minnesota
Decision Date: 1976-06-11
Citations: 309 Minn. 550
Docket Number: No. 46118
Parties: ALICE T. WESTENDORF v. CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY AND ANOTHER.
Judges: 
Reporter: Minnesota Reports
Volume: 309
Pages: 550–551

Head Matter:
ALICE T. WESTENDORF v. CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY AND ANOTHER.
243 N. W. 2d 157.
June 11, 1976
No. 46118.
Van Eps, Gilmore & Chantry and George R. Benton, for relators.
Grose, Von Holtum, Von Holtum, Sieben & Schmidt and Timothy J. McCoy, for respondent.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
The employer and insurer seek review of a decision of the Workers' Compensation Board awarding the employee benefits for permanent and total disability. On appeal they argue that the award was precluded in part by principles of res judicata and that the finding of permanent and total disability is not supported by the evidence.
On May 21, 1971, the employee filed a claim petition seeking benefits for 15-percent permanent partial disability of each hand and medical expenses. The question of total disability was not litigated or decided at the hearing on this petition. On September 26, 1973, the employee filed a second claim petition seeking benefits for permanent total disability from May 14, 1971.
While principles of res judicata do apply to decisions of the Workers' Compensation Board in some instances, they do not bar further pro ceedings to determine claims not litigated in the prior hearing. The compensation board's finding that the employee is permanently and totally disabled is supported by substantial evidence in view of the entire record as submitted.
Respondent is allowed $350 attorneys fees on this appeal.
Affirmed.
Brix v. General Accident & Assur. Corp. 254 Minn. 21, 93 N. W. 2d 542 (1958).
Hill v. Conroy Brothers Co. Inc. 306 Minn. 358, 237 N. W. 2d 606 (1975).