Opinion ID: 1396993
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: statute defining permanent disability

Text: RCW 51.08.160 defines permanent total disability as: Permanent total disability means loss of both legs, or arms, or one leg and one arm, total loss of eyesight, paralysis or other condition permanently incapacitating the worker from performing any work at any gainful occupation. (Italics mine.) The Board, in finding of fact 6, found Sisson to be totally and permanently prevented from engaging in any full-time occupation on a reasonably continuous basis. Clerk's Papers, at 19. The jury supported and corroborated the Board's finding and decision by answering interrogatory 2  finding that Sisson was not capable of obtaining and performing gainful employment on a reasonably continuous basis. It makes little difference whether we designate interrogatory 2 as a special or general verdict. By its answer of such interrogatory, the jury completely disposed of all issues in the case, for its answer completely upheld the Board's decision and there was no need for any further interrogatories and/or proceedings. The majority's sole basis for a remand for a new trial is the answer to interrogatory 3. However, as interrogatory 2 had disposed of the entire case, there was no need to answer interrogatory 3, and it is surplusage. In addition, interrogatory 2 specifically prohibits the jury from answering interrogatory 3, saying, If your answer to Interrogatory No. 2 is `No,' you will not answer Interrogatory No. 3. The interrogatories in question here were contained in jury instruction 17. Instruction 17 was not objected to, nor was there any claim such instruction was erroneous on a motion for a judgment n.o.v. or a new trial. On appeal, instruction 17 became the law of the case and cannot be challenged.