Opinion ID: 1760577
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Fifteen Percent Increase of Benefit Section 287.120.4

Text: Employer first argues that the Commission erred in increasing the compensation and death benefit under section 287.120.4. [4] This section provides: Where the injury is caused by the failure of the employer to comply with any statute in this state or any lawful order of the division or the commission, the compensation and death benefit provided for under this chapter shall be increased fifteen percent. To be entitled to the fifteen percent increase under section 287.120.4, a claimant must demonstrate the existence of the statute or order, its violation, and a causal connection between the violation and the compensated injury. State ex rel. River Cement Co. v. Pepple, 585 S.W.2d 122, 125 (Mo.App.1979). The Commission found that a fifteen percent increase under section 287.120.4 was proper because Employer violated section 292.080 and there was a causal connection between the violation of this statute and Employee's death. Section 292.080 provides: No explosive or inflammable compound shall be used in any establishment in this state where labor is employed, in such place or manner as to obstruct or render hazardous the egress of operatives in case of fire. Employer asserts that section 292.080 is not applicable for the townhouse where Employee was working. The primary role of the courts when construing statutes is to ascertain the intent of the legislature from the language used in the statute and, if possible, give effect to that intent. Abrams v. Ohio Pacific Exp., 819 S.W.2d 338, 340 (Mo. banc 1991). In determining legislative intent, statutory words and phrases are given their plain and ordinary meaning, and this meaning is generally derived from the dictionary. Id. Where no ambiguity exists, there is no need to resort to rules of statutory construction. Id. However, if an ambiguity exists, one compelling rule of construction requires the courts to presume that the legislature did not intend to enact an absurd law and favors a construction that avoids unjust or unreasonable results. Id. at 341. Employer contends that the townhouse was not an establishment as that term is defined; therefore, it cannot be found to have violated section 292.080. An establishment is defined as a place of business. Black's Law Dictionary 490 (5th ed.1979). The evidence established that Employer's business was leasing apartments and townhouses. Employer was engaged in a commercial activity and derived revenue from leasing townhouses. The townhouse where the accident occurred was a place of business of Employer and, therefore, an establishment for purposes of section 292.080. Employer also contends that section 292.080 only applies to factories. In 1891, the legislature enacted several sections under chapter 292, including section 292.080. These sections have been referred to as the so-called Factory Act. Martin v. Star Cooler Corporation, 484 S.W.2d 32, 35 (Mo.App. 1972); Johnson v. Bear, 225 Mo.App. 1097, 40 S.W.2d 481, 484 (1931). However, several sections provide language that shows the statutes are not applicable only to factories. Section 292.020 requires machinery to be properly guarded or notice posted in all manufacturing, mechanical and other establishments in this state.... Section 292.050 refers to every manufacturing, mechanical or mercantile or public buildings in this state.... Several other sections enacted in 1891 are not limited to factories. See, e.g., sections 292.060; 292.110; 292.130; 292.140. Review of the relevant sections enacted in 1891 demonstrates the legislature did not intend to limit the so-called Factory Act to factories, and Employer's contention fails. Employer's reliance on Johnson , where the court held that a farm was not an other establishment for purposes of section 292.020, is misplaced. In that case, the court recognized the unique nature of farming and that the worker's compensation act, RSMo 1929, excluded employment of farm labor. Johnson, 40 S.W.2d at 484-485. This analysis is not applicable to a townhouse. Employer next argues that section 292.080 was not violated because there is not sufficient evidence to show Employee's egress was made more difficult by the presence of lacquer thinner between him and the steps. Frank Caliendo testified that, when the fire started, Employee was standing in the lacquer thinner, and it was between Employee and the steps. He also testified there was not any lacquer thinner between him and the steps, and he was able to get to the first or second step of the stairs. An expert testified that based on his belief as to where the lacquer thinner was poured, Employee was in the envelope of the vapors, which had surrounded him. The expert also stated once the vapors from the lacquer thinner that surrounded Employee ignited, he had no chance to escape from the basement without substantial injury. There is sufficient and competent evidence to support the Commission's finding that the lacquer thinner was used in such a manner as to render hazardous the egress of Employee when the fire occurred. Employer next argues that the evidence fails to support a finding of a causal connection between a violation of section 292.080 and Employee's death. Employer asserts that regardless of any other injuries he suffered, Employee's death was caused by the initial explosion. Employer states, As long as [Employee] was in the basement when the fire occurred, he would have suffered the injuries severe enough to cause his death. Employer cites to the testimony of the expert who stated that Employee had no chance to escape without substantial injury once the vapors ignited. Employee's autopsy report states that the cause of his death was massive pulmonary edema, which was a complication of his extensive burns. The expert testified that the fire lasted about five seconds. This expert also stated if Employee had not been in the envelope of the vapors, he would not have suffered as significant an amount of injuries. This expert stated further that Employee and Caliendo were in the same line of egress. No thinner was located between Caliendo and the stairs, and he was able to reach the first or second step. The evidence is sufficient to find a causal connection between Employer's violation of section 292.080 and Employee's death. The Commission's finding that under section 287.120.4 the compensation and death benefit should be increased fifteen percent for Employer's violation of section 292.080 is supported by substantial and competent evidence. Claimants argue that under section 287.120.4 the compensation and death benefit should be increased fifteen percent for each statute violated by Employer. Claimants contend that because Employer violated eight safety laws, then under section 287.120.4 the compensation and death benefit should be increased 120 percent. We disagree. As discussed, section 287.120.4 provides that benefits are increased fifteen percent for an employer's failure to comply with any statute or lawful order. But this section does not contain specific language providing for a fifteen percent increase for each statutory violation. According to Claimants, they are entitled to an increase of approximately $156,000. This demonstrates that increasing benefits by fifteen percent for each violation can result in a substantial increase in the compensation and death benefit. Absent specific statutory language, we do not find that the legislature would intend this result. In addition, section 287.120.5 provides for a fifteen percent reduction of benefits when an employee willfully fails to use safety devices or fails to obey an employer's safety rules. If Claimants' argument were accepted, then, by analogy, employees or their dependents could have their benefits reduced fifteen percent for each violation. This could result in a total forfeiture of benefits. Again, we do not find that the legislature would intend such a result. The Commission did not err by concluding that the fifteen percent increase under section 287.120.4 could not be applied cumulatively for each violation. [5]