11 A.D.2d 575 | N.Y. App. Div. | 1960
Appeal by the employer and its carrier from a decision of the Workmen’s Compensation Board which made an award of death benefits and discharged the Special Fund under subdivision 8 of section 15 of the Workmen’s Compensation Law. The deceased employee worked as a route man on a laundry truck. He delivered and picked up such things as aprons, towels, dresses, pants and shirts. Upon returning to the plant each day he would unload the clothing which he had picked up during the day and then load his truck with the bundles to be delivered the following day. The decedent’s busiest day was Thursday when he delivered to a large chemical factory. It was necessary for him to work late on Wednesdays to get his truck loaded for the next day. On Wednesday, November 14,1951 the decedent ran his usual route of some 50 stops and after returning to the plant unloaded his truck. He was then assisted by his supervisor in the loading of his truck. The load consisted of some 65 or 70 bundles of dresses, shirts and pants weighing about 30 pounds each. The supervisor handed the bundles to the decedent in the truck who then arranged the bundles in order. The supervisor testified that on this occasion the decedent said he “ felt lousy ” and that he looked weak and tired, although he admitted the decedent had complained about feeling lousy on other occasions. The decedent’s widow testified that when he returned home at 8:00 that evening he complained about not feeling well and went right to bed. He was found shortly thereafter in a bad condition and foaming at the mouth. Dr. Post was called to treat the decedent and he died the following day. The decedent had a serious pre-existing heart condition. He had been hospitalized in 1950 at which time a diagnosis of coronary artery disease and subendocardial infarction was made. Drs. Waldman and Seley who saw the decedent in 1950 were of the opinion that his condition was permanent and that it could have progressed to death but neither expressed an opinion as to causal relationship. On November 12, 1951 the decedent went to see Dr. Post complaining that he could not walk or breathe and of pains in his