Butler's Case

243 Mass. 166 | Mass. | 1922

Carroll, J.

The Industrial Accident Board found that Edward Butler, the deceased employee, received an injury arising out of and in the course of his employment on December 27, 1921; that this injury was caused by the employee straining himself, while throwing cloth over what is known as “the perch,” and bringing on an umbilical hernia which became strangulated; that a general condition of sepsis resulted therefrom and caused his death; and that the employer had knowledge of the injury as soon as practicable after its occurrence.

There was evidence that the employee, on his return from work on December 27, complained of pain and stated that while lifting a piece of cloth “it slipped and got away from him”; “that he felt something give in his abdomen, . . . felt sudden pain and had a lot of pain.” It was found that he had a dilated umbilical hernia. There was medical testimony tending to show that such hernias are caused by “sudden lifting, sudden wrenching and falling;” that lifting the cloth in the manner described would be sufficient cause for the hernia, and that the employee’s death on January 5, 1922, resulted from the hernia. On this evidence the board was fully warranted in finding that the fatal injury to the employee arose out of and in the course of his employment.

Notice in writing as required by G. L. c. 152, §§ 41, 42, was not given. The Industrial Accident Board, however, found as a fact that the employer had notice of the injury “as soon as practicable after its occurrence.” By G. L. c. 152, § 44, it was expressly provided that want of notice shall not bar proceedings, if it be shown that the insured had knowledge of the injury. Mrs. Butler, the petitioner, testified that on the day following the injury to her husband she received a telephone call from the mill where he had been employed, and that she believed the person with whom she talked was the paymaster; she told him her husband had been hurt the day before, and it was a serious case. There was testimony from the employee’s foreman that within two or three days following December 27 he was informed by “the office” it had been reported the deceased was injured while at work in the mill; that he made report to the Industrial Accident Board, saying the injury occurred on December 27, and it occurred while the deceased was “throwing piece over perch, reaching too high. Moving' truck load to press from perch.” There was further evidence indicating that the employer had knowledge of the employee’s injury and received the knowledge as soon as practicable after its occurrence. Murphy’s Case, 226 Mass. 60. Brown’s Case, 228 Mass. 31. Lapan’s Case, 237 Mass. 340.

There was evidence to sustain the findings of the board upon both questions, and these findings must stand. The decree of the Superior Court awarding weekly compensation to Margaret M. Butler, the widow of the employee, of $10 a week for four hundred weeks is affirmed.

So ordered.