Court Opinion

ID: 9530546
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 04:00:55.512017+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:28:09.438519
License: Public Domain

IRWIN, Justice
(dissenting).
In my opinion the evidence is insufficient to justify a finding by the State Industrial Commission that petitioner had actual knowledge of the condition of the decedent and was not prejudiced by the failure to give the statutory notice.
The claim for compensation was filed November 6, 1957, for an alleged injury suffered November 28, 1956. In March, 1957, deceased was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia and died in April, 1957, from a heart attack. Deceased had filed several claims for hospitalization, and sick benefits during his lifetime and after his death, claimant, who admittedly gave no notice to petitioner, filed additional claims for hospitalization and medical expense. All of these claims were for insurance benefits for non-occupational health conditions.
Without question, the petitioner had knowledge that claimant had a disability or had suffered a heart .attack, but at no time did deceased or claimant ever indicate to petitioner that decedent’s disability or death *948was due to or the result of an accidental injury, arising out of and in the course of his employment; nor did they ever show any inclination to come under the purview of the Workmen’s Compensation Act until claimant filed her claim for death benefits with the State Industrial Commission. In my opinion the petitioner was lead to believe the disability was a health condition and not the result of an injury and would be prejudiced by the failure of decedent or claimant to indicate or advise the petitioner that the disability was a result of an accidental injury arising out of and in the course of his employment.
For the foregoing reasons, I respectfully dissent.
I am authorized to state that Mr. Justice JACKSON concurs in the views herein expressed.