OPINION
The appeal in this workman’s compensation case involves notice under § 59-10 — 13.-4, N.M.S.A.1953 (Repl.Vol. 9, pt. 1). Plaintiff suffered an injury in an accident arising out of and in the course of his employment. There is no question as to the employer’s knowledge of the accident and of a “no lost time” injury where medical attention was provided by the employer. Our concern is with the employer’s knowledge of a “compensable” injury. See Smith v. State,
Did the trial court find as a fact that there was no notice of a compensable injury?
While the trial court’s findings of fact refer to evidence bearing on the notice question, there is no specific finding under the “Findings of Fact” concerning notice of a compensable injury. However, one of the conclusions of law reads:
“Plaintiff is not entitled to recover any compensation benefits from Defendants under the Workmen’s Compensation Act of New Mexico, and Plaintiff’s Complaint should be dismissed with prejudice for the reason that plaintiff did not give the defendant Notice of a compensable injury within the time and manner provided by law.” (Emphasis added)
Plaintiff asserts this “conclusion of law” is erroneous because the trial court found there was no notice of compensable injury as a matter of law. Plaintiff also claims the “conclusion” is erroneous because not supported by findings going to the ultimate facts. See Walter E. Heller & Company of Cal. v. Stephens,
We agree with the plaintiff to this extent — there is evidence on the issue of whether the employer had notice of a compensable injury and this evidence is conflicting. We do not agree that the trial court failed to consider this evidence, failed to find on the issue, or ruled on the notice question as a matter of law.
The emphasized portion of the conclusion is a finding of fact although “intermingled with the conclusion of law.” Pankey v. Hot Springs Nat. Bank,
Admittedly the finding is not “separately stated and numbered” as a finding of fact as required by § 21-1-1(52) (B) (a) (2), N.M.S.A.1953 (Repl.Vol. 4). Since the-finding is clear, and the only fault with the finding is that it is mislabeled, plaintiff is not prejudiced. We decline to remand the case to require the trial court to remove the finding from its conclusions and include it under the findings of fact. White v. Morrison,
Was there notice of a compensable injury as a matter of lazv?
Plaintiff states: “For the same-reasons that no additional notice was required in Geeslin v. Goodno, Inc.,
Plaintiff seems to contend that under Geeslin II, supra, notice of a compensable injury is not required; that notice of an accident and an injury is sufficient. Geeslin II, supra, does not so hold. The opinion expressly states: “The employer had notice of a compensable injury * * Geeslin II, supra, did not change the requirement that there must be notice of a compensable injury. Smith v. State, supra. The question of notice of a compensable injury is one of fact. Geeslin I, supra.
Plaintiff asserts: “The purpose of the notice provision of the statute [§ 59 — 10— 13.4, supra] is to allow the employer, or its insurance company, to investigate the accident. * * *” citing Collins v. Big Four Paving, Inc.,
The purpose of the notice requirement “ * * * is to enable the employer to investigate the facts while they are accessible and, if necessai-y, to employ doctors so as to speed recovery * * Waymire v. Signal Oil Field Service, Inc.,
In Collins v. Big Four Paving, Inc., supra, the defendants had knowledge “of all known facts.” We cannot hold, as a matter of law, that defendants had such knowledge in this case because there is evidence that defendants had no knowledge of plaintiff’s physical condition for months. Plaintiff did not ask defendants to provide medical attention and did not claim he was -entitled to compensation until his suit was filed. The notice requirement cannot be considered satisfied as a matter of law because of the evidence that defendants had no knowledge of facts indicating additional medical attention was necessary and that defendants had no knowledge of the fact that plaintiff considered his claim to be compensable.
Since the purpose of the notice requirement was not satisfied as a matter of law, and since the evidence on the question of notice of a compensable injury was conflicting, the trial court did not err in failing to resolve the notice issue in plaintiff’s favor as a matter of law.
The judgment of dismissal is affirmed.
It is so ordered.