Court Opinion

ID: 9568565
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 20:05:14.012349+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T10:48:23.642134
License: Public Domain

STANFORD, Justice
(specially concurring).
Having been assigned the duty to write the original opinion in this case, in which I set aside the award of the Commission on the grounds that the failure of the petitioner to secure work was attributable to his injuries, and not having a majority of the court to sustain me in this regard, the matter was assigned to another member of the court who differed with my opinion; and after a more complete study of the case, this member has submitted the opinion that the failure of the petitioner to secure work was due both to economic conditions and to his injuries, and has also directed that the award be set aside.
*274From the record in this case, Edward Schnatzmeyer was operated upon on March 19, 1952, and on April 25, 1952 Dr. James J. Riordan, one of the many physicians and surgeons who attended this very complicated case, made a report following X-ray examinations, and among -the statements made is the following:
“ * * * There appears to be a single long-bone fragment' lateral to the left of the spinus processes for these vertebrae as well as scattered bone chips over the remaining portion of the operative site. In the oblique view the bone graft appears to be showing good organization but without apparent complete fixation of this fused area. In the lateral projections there is noted to be a pronounced kypho-lordotic deformity of the cervicothoracis area. There is deformity of the transverse processes for C-6, C-7 and T-l on the right. Three metallic wires are present over the operative site. * * *.” (Emphasis supplied.)
From all of the records and testimony in the case I am able to state that the three metallic wires still are present over the operative site. Also, on September 5, 1952, Dr. Geo. A. Williamson gave his report on X-ray examination, which in part reads:
“AP, lateral and oblique films of the cervical dorsal' spine have been obtained. These films show the results of a spinal fusion operation extending from the 6th cervical to the upper dorsal segment. There are three strands of wire in the fused area, holding the bone in place. He feels that a satisfactory fusion is developing across the involved area on the left side but that there is still a defect in the- area on the right at the level of the first dorsal transverse process. The inter-vertebral foraminae in this area on the left side appear to be clear and show no encroachment whereas on the right side there is defect decrease in the size of the foramin at the level of the 1st dorsal vertebra.” (Emphasis^ supplied.)
From the majority opinion as now submitted, I quote the following:
“ * * *. The cause of unemployment is necessarily an inference to be drawn from all the facts and circumstances bearing on that issue, and we are unable to say that the Commission must infer from the evidence herein that the cause of his failure to secure work is attributable to his injuries.”
In my opinion the unemployment of petitioner is due solely to his injury and he is entitled to compensation on the basis of total disability, and in this view I am supported by our case of Gibson v. Industrial Commission, 68 Ariz. 313, 205 P.2d 588, and many other cases.
'Without reservation, I s'ay the award of the Commission should be set aside.-