Court Opinion

ID: 9593134
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 00:19:58.79785+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:22:20.670328
License: Public Domain

LEVINE, Justice,
dissenting.
I agree with Justice Meschke’s view that an employee’s receipt of non-workers’ compensation benefits should equitably toll the statute of limitations. The question is, for how long? The cases cited by Justice Meschke indicate that the statute of limitations for filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits should not begin to run until receipt of the last payment of non-workers’ compensation benefits. Here, the facts indicate that Grotte filed his claim for workers’ compensation benefits about one and one-half years after he received his last payment of on-job benefits. So, tolling the statute’s one-year limitation until after the receipt of on-job benefits would not help Grotte. But, Grotte had no reason to apply for workers’ compensation benefits after his on-job benefits were discontinued. His condition was not acute and required no medical attention. When it worsened, he filed a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. I would hold that the statute of limitations should be tolled at least until the employee’s condition or injury becomes sufficiently symptomatic to alert him or her of the need to take action.
This case reminds me of State v. Nelson, 488 N.W.2d 600 (N.D.1992), where a majority of the court, in effect, disagreed with the trial court’s credibility assessment of two police officers, and reversed the trial court’s order of dismissal. Here, the majority correctly, I believe, refuses to reassess the credibility determinations made by the Bureau. While I agree with Justice Meschke that the Bureau was mistaken in its view that the employer was telling the truth, I disagree that this court can redo that determination. However, because I believe the statute of limitations should be tolled, I would reverse the decision of the Bureau.
I, therefore, respectfully dissent.