Court Opinion

ID: 9588185
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 23:31:16.902003+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:56:38.507721
License: Public Domain

SUTIN, Judge (dissenting). I dissent here solely to illustrate how confusion, contradiction and conflict intermingle in New Mexico decisions. Rules of law and judicial decisions are often interpreted by appellate judges, including the writer of this opinion, to serve a personal sense of justice. That is why conflicting opinions parade down through New Mexico judicial history. In this case, the plaintiff did not challenge the trial court’s findings pursuant to §21-2-1(15) (16), N.M.S.A.1953 (Repl.Vol. 4). This rule reads in part: If any finding is challenged, it musí be so indicated by a parenthetical note referring to the appropriate numbered point in the argument. [Emphasis added.] This rule became effective on and after April 15, 1966. Before and after that date, courts of review have continuously held that unchallenged findings were deemed true and controlling. They become the facts of the case for purpose of review. Anderson v. Jenkins Construction Company, 83 N.M. 47, 487 P.2d 1352 (Ct.App.1971); Trinidad Industrial Bank v. Romero, 81 N.M. 291, 466 P.2d 568 (1970); Ed. Black’s Chevrolet Center, Inc. v. Melichar, 81 N.M. 602, 471 P.2d 172 (1970); Farmers and Stockmens Bank of Clayton v. Morrow, 81 N.M. 678, 472 P.2d 643 (1970); Chavez v. Chavez, 54 N.M. 73, 213 P.2d 438 (1950); Case v. Henry, 55 N.M. 154, 228 P.2d 433 (1951); Hopkins v. Martinez, 73 N.M. 275, 387 P.2d 852 (1963). For workmen’s compensation cases, see McAfoos v. Borden Implement Co., 75 N.M. 50, 400 P.2d 470 (1965); Scott v. Homestake-Sapin, 72 N.M. 268, 383 P.2d 239 (1963); Kerr v. Akard Brothers Trucking Company, 73 N.M. 50, 385 P.2d 570 (1963). Many more cases can be cited. See New Mexico Digest, Appeal and Error, § 219(2). From at least 1915 through 1971, this rule has been a thorn in the side of attorneys who have not studied trial and appellate procedure. Now, this thorn can be avoided by pleading for justice under Rule 17(10) (12) and (14) mentioned in the majority opinion. Rule 17(10) provides that this court shall disregard any error or defect in the proceedings “which shall not affect the substantial rights of the adverse party, and no judgment shall he reversed or affected by reason of such error or defect.” [Emphasis added.] The majority opinion relies on this rule and then violates it Rule 17(12) and (14) fall in the same category. I would not dissent if the Supreme Court would amend its rules of appellate procedure and overrule the past. Plain and obvious errors or mistakes should be noticed if not called to the attention of the trial or appellate court so that each case can be decided on the merits. This court during 1971 refused to follow this adventure in other types of cases which required some of my dissenting opinions. For example, see State v. Mares, 82 N.M. 682, 486 P.2d 618 (Ct.App.1971), reversed, Mares v. State, 83 N.M. 225, 490 P.2d 667 (1971); Pavlos v. Albuquerque National Bank, 82 N.M. 759, 487 P.2d 187 (Ct.App.1971); Saiz v. City of Albuquerque, 82 N.M. 746, 487 P.2d 174 (Ct.App.1971); State v. Atwood, 83 N.M. 416, 492 P.2d 1279 (Ct.App.1971); International Minerals & Chemical Corporation v. Property Appraisal Department, 83 N.M. 402, 492 P.2d 1265 (Ct.App.1971); State v. Gruender, 83 N.M. 327, 491 P.2d 1082 (Ct.App.1971). The trial court found that plaintiff was not in an accident, and the pain was not caused by trauma or by accident, and plaintiff did not give statutory notice of any accident. These unchallenged findings support the trial court’s conclusions that plaintiff was not entitled to any benefits under the Workmen’s Compensation Act. The Meaning of "Accident.” The majority opinion states that the trial court used an erroneous definition of “accident.” The opinion considers the evidence most favorable to plaintiff instead of defendant. Plaintiff testified that he was working on the floor inside a house and had a little pain. The pain “stayed a little bit and then went away,” and he “kept on working until four-thirty.” That night, plaintiff took a hot bath and the pain went away and he felt fine the next morning and went back to work. He could not remember what he was doing at the time he felt pain and stated he could not remember being involved in an accident on the date the pain started; he was not lifting or bending, and did not have shéetrock over his head. In fact, plaintiff stated he was not in any accident when he had his pain. This case does not fall within the bounds of Lyon v. Catron County Commissioners, 81 N.M. 120, 464 P.2d 410 (Ct.App.1969). The undisputed facts in Lyon are different from those in the present case. In Lyon, there was an “unlooked for mishap, or untoward event which [was] not expected or designed.” In the present case, there were none. There was evidence of no exertions, no unexpected result of routine performance, no pain caused by some thing of an accidental character, no malfunction of the body itself, caused or accelerated by doing work required or expected in employment. To the contrary, see Montoya v. Leavell-Brennand Construction Company, 81 N.M. 616, 471 P.2d 186 (Ct.App.1970), where Lyon is distinguished; Bell v. Kenneth P. Thompson Co., Inc., 76 N.M. 420, 415 P.2d 546 (1966), where “the trial court, who saw and heard the plaintiff, could deny full credence to the testimony of plaintiff.”; Jacquez v. McKinney, 78 N.M. 641, 436 P.2d 501 (1968); Williams v. City of Gallup, 77 N.M. 286, 421 P.2d 804 (1966); Montano v. Saavedra, 70 N. M. 332, 373 P.2d 824 (1962). Notice of an Accident. It is not necessary to discuss the facts of notice of an accident to the employer. The majority opinion accepts the evidence most unfavorable to the findings of the trial court. The evidence is not undisputed. “ . . . [T]his court will not reverse the lower court unless there is no evidence upon which the court could have based its finding.” Ham v. Ellis, 42 N.M. 241, 76 P.2d 952 (1937); New Mexico Digest, Appeal & Error, § 1010(1).