Court Opinion

ID: 8614306
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-11-24 08:23:20.236356+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:55:24.440905
License: Public Domain

Lansden, J. Claimant, Charles K. Motz, proceeds under the Workmen’s Compensation Act to recover from respondent for the loss of his right thumb, as a result of an accident which arose out of and in the course of his employment as highway section man’s helper in the Division of Highways, Department of Public Works and Buildings. On April 18, 1949, claimant and his immediate superior were unable to start the truck assigned to them, which truck was stored at a leased lot in Wataga, Knox County, Illinois. So that work could be done on the motor, the hood was removed. While replacing the hood, it slipped, and caught claimant’s right thumb between it and the truck body. Although his thumb pained him, claimant worked two days, but then saw a doctor who, by X-Rays, discovered a dislocation and fracture of the distal phalange. Between the time of the injury and the first examination of the thumb by a doctor, a traumatic arterial occlusion or thrombosis developed with gangrene in the distal phalange. Although efforts were made to save the thumb, not only the distal phalange but also the proximal phalanges became seriously, damaged by the gangrene, especially the tendon structures, and the soft and surrounding tissues. It became necessary to amputate the thumb on May 21, 1949, leaving approximately one-half to one-third of the proximal phalange. No jurisdictional questions are involved, and respondent has paid for all medical treatment and hospitalization required. In 1947, Section 8 (e) (6) of the Workmen’s Compensation Act was amended to read as follows: “The loss of the first or distal phalanx of the thumb or of any finger shall be considered to be equal to the loss of one-half of such thumb or finger and the compensation payable shall be one-half of the amount above specified; provided that the amputation of the entire distal phalanx of a thumb Or finger proximal to the distal joint at the reasonable point of election for amputation of such phalanx shall be considered to be the loss of one phalanx only.” Such amendment apparently negatives the effect of. Chicago, Wilmington & Franklin Coal Co. v. Ind. Com., 399 Ill. 76, which was based on the section as it read prior to the 1947 amendment. Respondent apparently predicated its defense on the above quoted section, but the testimony of respondent’s doctor, and X-Rays introduced in evidence rendered such section inapplicable. The point of election for amputation was made not for the purpose.of determining where the distal phalange should be severed, but where the proximal phalange should be severed to leave the remainder of the thumb unaffected by gangrene. Claimant lost by amputation not only the distal phalange, but also the proximal phalange, and is, therefore, entitled to an award under Section 8 (e) (1) (7) for the permanent and complete loss of his right thumb. This case is very close on the facts with Aeschleman v. State, No. 4153, opinion filed July 8, 1949, and we follow such case in holding claimant is entitled to an award. On the date of his accident claimant was 64 years of age, married, but had no children under 16 years of age dependent upon him for support.' . In the year prior to his accident, claimant earned from respondent $2,160.00, and his rate of compensation is, therefore, $19.50 per week. Claimant was totally disabled from April 20 to and including June 26, 1949, or nine and five-sevenths weeks. For the period of temporary total disability claimant was paid $276.14 when he should have been paid only $189.43. He was thus overpaid $86.71. Martha M. Tracy, Galesburg, Illinois, was employed to take and transcribe the testimony before Commissioner Wise. Her charges amounting to $19.50 are fair and reasonable, and an award is entered in her favor for such amount. , An award is entered in favor of claimant, Charles K. Motz, under Section 8 (e) (1) (7) of the Workmen’s Compensation Act for 70 weeks at $19.50 for the complete and permanent loss of his right thumb in the amount of $1,365.00, from which should be deducted the overpayment of $86.71, leaving a net award of $1,278.29, all of which has accrued and is payable forthwith. This award is subject to the approval of the Governor as provided in Section 3 of ifAn Act concerning the payment of compensation awards to State employees.”