SOUTHERN TRUCKS Inc. v. GREGG

SOUTHERN TRUCKS Inc. v. GREGG
1931 OK 110
297 P. 269
148 Okla. 64
Case Number: 21899
Decided: 03/31/1931
Supreme Court of Oklahoma

SOUTHERN TRUCKS, Inc., et al.
v.
GREGG et al.

Syllabus

¶0 1. Master and Servant--Workmen's Compensation--Award for Permanent Partial Disability.
Subdivision 3 of section 7290, C. O. S. 1921, as amended by chapter 61, sec. 6, Session Laws 1923, where such permanent partial disability is not one of those cases specifically mentioned, it falls within the classification of "other cases," and the amount of compensation is computed upon the basis of 66 2/3 per cent. of the difference between the previous average weekly wage and the subsequent wage-earning capacity, which award cannot exceed 300 weeks, but is subject to reconsideration of the degree of such impairment by the Commission on its own motion or upon the application of any party interested.

Original action in Supreme Court by Southern Trucks, Inc., et al. to review an award of the State Industrial Commission in favor of O. C. Gregg. Judgment and award vacated and new trial granted.

Cheek & McRill, for petitioners.
J. Berry King, Atty. Gen., and Robt. D. Crowe, Asst. Atty. Gen., for respondents.

CLARK, V. C. J.

¶1 Petitioners filed in this court their original action to review an award of the State Industrial Commission made and entered on the 18th day of October, 1930, wherein O. C. Gregg, respondent herein, was awarded $ 18 per week for 100 weeks on account of permanent partial disability of 20 per cent. sustained by reason of an accidental injury, and also $ 36 for two weeks' compensation at the rate of $ 18 per week for temporary total disability. The Industrial Commission found that respondent Gregg had a permanent disability and computed said permanent disability at 20 per cent. of 500 weeks, the maximum allowed for total disability.

¶2 Dr. Von Wedel stated that there was 7 1/2 per cent. disability to the right arm and 15 per cent. disability to the left arm as a result of the accident. However, the Commission made no finding as to the loss of use of members, to wit, the right and left arms. The computation of 20 per cent. of 500 weeks was error.

¶3 This court in the case of Texas Co. et al. v. Roberts et al., 146 Okla. 140, 294 P. 180, in the first and second paragraphs of the syllabus, held:

"1. Compensation for a permanent partial disability falls within the third subdivision of section 7290, C. O. S. 1921, as amended by c. 61, sec. 6, S. L. 1923, and where such permanent partial disability is not one of those specificially mentioned, it falls within the classification of 'other cases,' and is calculated upon the basis of 66 2/3 per cent. of the difference between the previous average weekly wage and the subsequent wage-earning capacity, and continues during such partial disability, but not to exceed 300 weeks."

"2. Such an award under 'other cases' (subdivision 3, section 7290, C. O. S. 1921, as amended) is for incapacity to work as a result of injury, which under a liberal interpretation of the law means compensation for loss of earning power of the workman as a result of injury, whether the loss manifests itself in inability to perform obtainable work or inability to secure work to do."

¶4 We are of the opinion that this construction of permanent partial disability of the Industrial Law of this state is correct, and the rule announced in this case will be adhered to, and the award in so far as the same relates to permanent partial disability is erroneous.