Court Opinion

ID: 5245307
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-06 17:57:19.389318+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:27:51.317488
License: Public Domain

Woodward, J.:
The claimant was injured while working on a lumber job at Indian Pass, North Elba, N. Y., and the question on this appeal arises as to the employer — whether the claimant was working for Preston Brothers, who had a contract with the J. & J. Rogers Company to clear a tract of pulp wood, or whether he was in the employ of Musgrave & Woods, who are claimed to have been subcontractors and the employers of the claimant. The State Industrial Commission has ’ made an award for forty-eight and one-half weeks at fifteen dollars per week and continued the claim for further hearing. The insurance carrier and Preston Brothers appeal from the award, and urge the single point that the claimant was not the employee of Preston Brothers.
It must be conceded that the evidence is not conclusive as to the relationship existing between Preston Brothers and .the claimant, but the State Industrial Commission, which is authorized to make conclusive findings of fact in reference to claims of this character, has held that the Preston Brothers were the employers within the meaning of the statute, and, as there is some evidence upon which this finding may rest, we are not authorized to disturb the same. Preston Brothers had the general contract, and, while there appears to be a custom, of subdividing the track to be cleared among small *112groups of men, it is evident from the record before us that these subdivisions into groups do not amount fa> the creation of subcontractors in the sense that it relieves the general contractors from the liability of affording compensation to those who are injured in the work. Preston Brothers were the only ones who had taken out insurance, indicating their understanding of the liabilities incurred, and we are of the opinion that this award should not be disturbed.
The award should be affirmed.
Award unanimously affirmed.