Opinion ID: 2171390
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Extent of Compensation to be Paid During Vocational Rehabilitation

Text: Petitioner's other contention on appeal is not before us for decision. He argues that a partially incapacitated employee is entitled under section 54 to compensation for total incapacity during any period of vocational rehabilitation awarded to him by the commission. At this point, however, petitioner has been denied any vocational rehabilitation, and accordingly, consideration of what percentage compensation he would be paid during such a program is both premature and academic. Furthermore, from anything we can find in this record, the petitioner is raising this contention for the first time on appeal. Thus, he has disregarded the elementary principle of appellate procedure by which the Law Court will not consider claims not asserted below. See, e. g., Reville v. Reville, Me., 289 A.2d 695 (1972). The reason behind this well-established rule has particular force in the circumstances of this case. This court is here called upon to construe for the first time the statutory pattern for vocational rehabilitation for partially incapacitated employees in workmen's compensation cases, and in doing so we can well benefit from an initial consideration and decision of all legal questions by the administrative agency to whose expertise the legislature has committed the effectuation of the purposes of the Act. Cf., e. g., State ex rel. Brennan v. R. D. Realty Corp., Me., 349 A.2d 201, 207-08 (1975). The entry must be: Appeal sustained. Judgment of the Superior Court vacated. Remanded to the Industrial Accident Commission for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. Further ordered that the employer pay to the employee an allowance for counsel fees in the amount of $550, together with his reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for this appeal. POMEROY, WERNICK, ARCHIBALD, DELAHANTY, GODFREY and NICHOLS, JJ., concur.