JONES et al. v. CALIFORNIA PACKING CORP. et al.
No. 7688
Supreme Court of Utah
Decided May 15, 1952
244 P. 2d 640
612 Utah
Dobbs & Dobbs, Clyde C. Patterson, Ogden, for plaintiffs.
Clinton D. Vernon, Atty. Gen., Allen B. Sorensen, Asst. Atty. Gen., J. A. Howell and Neil R. Olmstead, Ogden, for defendants.
CROCKETT, Justice.
This proceeding reviews an order of The Industrial Commission denying compensation to the plaintiffs, widow and surviving children of (Harold) Minor Jones. The issue is
Because of the nature of the controversy herein, it is necessary to set out in detail the events just preceding the death. Mr. Jones was foreman at the pea viner of the California Packing Company at Hooper, Utah. Peas, being delicate and perishable, must be speedily handled over a brief period of time and this “campaign” as it is called, involves long working hours during the short season of harvesting peas.
As foreman, it was Jones’ duty to get the pea viner going and keep in it operation. Work commenced June 28, 1950; his time card shows that he worked eight hours the 28th and eight hours the 29th. On June 30th, the plant was operated from 6:30 in the morning until 6:00 in the evening, or 11 1/2 hours and Jones worked all of those hours that day; July 1st, the viner operated from 5:30 a. m. until 6:45 p. m., or 13 1/4 hours, which is also the hours he worked that day; on July 2nd, the viner operated from 2:45 a. m. to 5:00 p. m., or 14 1/4 hours, but Jones’ card showed that he worked 15 1/2 hours or until 6:15 p. m., after which he left for home. He milked his cows and got something to eat; as it was a hot July night, he found it difficult to sleep, but lay down on the floor to rest. He went to bed about a quarter to eleven and was up about a quarter to two and back to the viner at 2:00 a. m. on July 3rd. Things went along all right for about 45 minutes and then there was trouble with a booster motor. Deceased was required to work with it constantly. Othello Munn testified that Jones was tinkering with the motor either attempting to adjust the carburetor or cranking it continually between 2:00 o‘clock on the 3rd when he came to work and the time he became sick.
Deceased was apparently all right at 6:30 in the morning when he went home to breakfast and when he returned
Mr. Jones was 39 years of age and had enjoyed good health up to that time. Both sides agree, and the pathologist‘s report shows unequivocally, that he died as the result of a coronary occlusion. There was discovered a preexisting thickening of the intima (inner layer) of the coronary artery where the clot was found. The disagreement between the parties hereto devolves upon the question whether the occlusion was caused by his work. This depends upon medical testimony which will be hereinafter discussed. Before doing so, it seems well to set out some cardinal principles of our law governing cases of this character.
This court has repeatedly held that the Workmen‘s Compensation Act should be liberally construed to effectuate its purposes, and where there is doubt, it should be resolved in favor of coverage of the employee. See M. & K. Corp. v. Industrial Comm., 112 Utah 488, 189 P. 2d 132.
It is settled beyond question that a pre-existing disease or other disturbed condition or defect of the body, when aggravated or lighted up by an industrial accident is compensable under the act, Graybar Electric Co., Inc. v. Industrial Comm., 73 Utah 568, 276 P. 161; Thomas D. Dee Memorial Hospital Ass‘n v. Industrial Comm., 104 Utah 61, 138 P. 2d 233. And also that an internal failure brought about by exertion in the course of employment may be an accident within the meaning of
“* * * this court is definitely committed to the proposition that where an employee suffers an internal failure or breakdown which results from overexertion in the course of his employment that such is a compensable accidental injury * * *.” Citing cases.
In reviewing the record in such a case as this, the scope of inquiry is well stated in Woodburn v. Industrial Comm., 111 Utah 393, 181 P. 2d 209, 212, wherein Mr. Chief Justice Wolfe refers to the principal cases theretofore decided, and summarizes the law with respect thereto as follows:
“The extent of review by this court in this type of case is: Did the Commission act without or in excess of its powers in denying compensation to the plaintiff?
Section 42-1-78, U. C. A. 1943 .“The test applicable to this type of case to determine whether or not the Commission acted without or in excess of its powers has been clearly crystalized by previous opinions * * *.
“‘In the case of denial of compensation, the record must disclose that there is material, substantial, competent, uncontradicted evidence sufficient to make a disregard of it justify the conclusion, as a matter of law, that the Industrial Commission arbitrarily and capriciously disregarded the evidence or unreasonably refused to believe such evidence.‘”
We proceed to examine the medical testimony: The plaintiffs called two doctors, E. D. Zeman and J. C. Olson, who each testified positively that it was their opinion that this occlusion and death resulted from the exertion and fatigue
The only evidence which might be construed as not in accord with that of plaintiff was that of Dr. Drew Petersen who testified for the defendant. The essence of his testimony is set forth in this answer:
“Mr. Howell: Assuming that I should put this same question to you (the hypothetical question which was put to the other doctors containing the facts surrounding the death) what would be your answer, Doctor?” “A. I can‘t answer the question yes or no because I don‘t think the medical literature from my own opinion or anybody else‘s opinion can say dogmatically this is a definite cause, because the medical literature is full of statements that there is some relationship between effort and coronary thrombosis; and the literature is full of statements to the effect that apparently effort has no relationship to coronary thrombosis. * * * My own opinion is that it possibly is related in this particular case, but I don‘t think you can dogmatically say that it is a cause and effect or it has no effect.” (Emphasis added.)
Noteworthy is the fact that this answer was given on direct examination. The doctor, discussing the relationship of exertion to such occlusions, after stating that medical literature is full of statements pro and con on the subject, voluntarily adds this significant statement:
“My own opinion is that it possibly is related in this particular case, but I don‘t think you can dogmatically [positively] say that it is a cause * * *.” (Emphasis and the interpretative word “positively” added.)
Defendants do not contend that Dr. Petersen‘s testimony is that the exertion did not cause the death. They claim that his evidence, fairly considered, is that it is impossible to tell. We do not get the same meaning from the word “possibly“, as it was used by Dr. Petersen, as defendants’
He actually gave no opinion contrary to that of Drs. Zeman and Olson. He merely said that he could not say one way or the other. He did not say, “It is not related.” He did not even say, “It is my opinion that it possibly is not related.” What he did say was, it is my opinion that ”it possibly is related.” As a matter of prudence, he added the words, “I don‘t think you can dogmatically (positively) say that it is a cause * * *.” This appears to have been but the caution against the positiveness of the foolhardy that any prudent doctor would use. Dr. Zeman also did this in a different way.
It should be remarked that Dr. Zeman is regarded by defendants to be the best qualified witness who testified in the case. They say of him in their brief,
“It is conceded that he has conducted more experiments, and made a greater investigation of the subject than anyone else.”
When pressed on cross-examination as to being positive, he said that for one to be positive he would have to repeat the experiment under identical conditions (have the man alive again, we assume). But despite searching cross-examination, he remained firm in his opinion that the work conditions described did cause the occlusion and death in this case.
A fair analysis of Dr. Petersen‘s testimony is that, although he was not willing to give a positive opinion that the work conditions caused the death, as did Drs. Zeman
This is not evidence of substance which could be used as a foundation upon which to reject the affirmative testimony of the other doctors which has every appearance of trustworthiness. In Norris v. Industrial Comm., 90 Utah 256, at page 262, 61 P. 2d 413, 416, Mr. Chief Justice Wolfe said,
“The evidence contradicting as well as the evidence in favor must have substance.”
It was not for Dr. Petersen to say whether Drs. Zeman and Olson were sure of their opinions and thus, in effect, evaluate their testimony.
No issue is taken with the thought that the Commission is not obliged to believe evidence if there is anything inherently incredible about it, or any circumstance to warrant failure to accept it. However, where facts are proved by uncontradicted testimony of competent disinterested witnesses and there is nothing inherently unreasonable, nor any circumstance which would tend to raise doubt of its truth, it should be taken as established. Refusal to do so is an arbitrary disregard by the trier of the facts, 20 Am. Jr. 1030, Evidence, Sec. 1180; 32 C. J. S., Evidence, § 1038, p. 1089, Evidence, Sec. 1038. For a somewhat comprehensive survey of the problem of when the trier of the fact may disregard uncontradicted testimony, see annotation 8 A. L. R. 796; see also Jensen v. Logan City, 96 Utah 522, 88 P. 2d 459, and Gagos v. Industrial Comm., 87 Utah 101, 48 P. 2d 449.
“We do, however, hold that the commission, and the commission alone, can and must determine the ultimate issue; * * * Furthermore, we may or may not believe the evidence introduced to prove that the exertion, etc., singly or in combination were sufficient to charge the employment with liability * * *.”
If the Commission could go so far as to refuse to believe such evidence, in the absence of anything of substance to refute it, then it certainly would possess arbitrary powers with no effective review left available to the litigant. It must be remembered that
“* * * the cause shall be heard on the record of the commission as certified by it.”
The questions in dispute here are not such as would permit the Commission, because of its expert knowledge and experience in a particular field, to use it in lieu of or against the evidence introduced. For cases and comments regarding that principle, see Gellhorn Adm. Law, 2d ed., pp. 553 et seq.; also Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad Co. v. Public Utilities Comm., 81 Utah 286, 17 P. 2d 287.
The law does not invest the Commission with any such arbitrary power to disbelieve or disregard uncontradicted, competent, credible evidence, as it appears to have done here. It found, inter alia,
“the evidence regarding exertion, fatigue, worry is very unsatisfactory. In fact, if we believe all that evidence, we must conclude that deceased was not subjected to any of these factors in a degree materially in excess of the exertion, etc., to which all individuals in every walk of life or at home are subjected.”
On the day before his death, Jones worked at least fifteen and a half hours of hard physical effort, coupled with responsibility; had less than three hours sleep and at 2:00 a. m. was back to such work and the continuous cranking of a balky motor. Every one of ordinary intelligence knows that the repeated cranking of a motor over several hours’ time, under the circumstances described, would be extraordinarily exhausting labor. Dr. Olson testified that a man working as he was in hot weather, “could not avoid experiencing exhaustion“. And “exhaustion” is a strong word; it means: to be extremely tired; to be used up; to wholly expend one‘s strength. Dr. Zeman also very properly assumed that the deceased experienced exertion and fatigue from the facts and circumstances related to him. He thought them sufficient to cause the occlusion and death. It is impossible to reconcile the foregoing facts with the findings of the Commission that “there is no evidence of exertion or fatigue” and
“that deceased was not subjected to any of these factors in a degree materially in excess of the exertion, etc. to which all individuals in every walk of life or at home are subjected“.
The Commission similarly disregarded or misinterpreted the testimony of the doctors who testified for plaintiff. It included among its findings:
“* * * We point to the fact that all of the doctors stated that they attached no significance to any of the factors such as exertion, gas, fatigue or nervous strain, standing alone, but they did say it was possible that all the surrounding circumstances over a period of two or three days might have contributed to the occlusion.”
The Commission made this conclusion:
“We find that the coronary occlusion which caused the death of Minor Jones was not the result of an accident arising out of or in the course of his employment, nor was it contributed to by any of the conditions or activities of the deceased in connection with his employment, or by any combination of them, and if the occlusion is determined to be an accident, we find that the employment had nothing to do with the occlusion.”
What has heretofore been said clearly demonstrates that this conclusion is so patently against the evidence and the reasonable inferences flowing therefrom as to manifest an arbitrary disregard of the evidence.
Defendants placed some reliance on the case of Woodburn v. Industrial Comm., 111 Utah 393, 181 P. 2d 209, 210, in which we affirmed an order denying compensation where the plaintiff had also suffered a coronary occlusion. An analysis of the Woodburn case will show that there is no inconsistency between the principles announced therein and those applied here which require vacating the order of the Commission. Therein Mr. Chief Justice Wolfe carefully pointed out that the testimony for the plaintiff only went this far:
“Doctors Strandquist, Olson and Zeman testified that in their opinion physical exertion could constitute a contributing factor in coronary occlusion or thrombosis”
and further quoted Dr. Zeman as saying, “There is a very good possibility” that it contributed, which is the strongest testimony in the case for the plaintiff. Whereas Dr. Walker testified positively, “that there is no causal connection”
O‘Brien v. Industrial Comm., 90 Utah 266, 61 P. 2d 418, is also cited as supporting defendant‘s position. In that case, the most favorable testimony for the plaintiff by the medical experts was: that it was “probable” that the trauma had caused the tumor * * *. The court held that mere probability indicated that there was a likelihood either way and that for that reason the Commission was not bound to follow the contentions of the plaintiff that the injury was caused by the trauma.
A case which is so similar on facts and principle as to seem to be controlling and compel a reversal of the Commission‘s order here is that of Robertson v. Industrial Comm., 109 Utah 25, 163 P. 2d 331, 332. Robertson, an employee of Colorado Animal By-Products Company, was working with a companion skinning and pulling on an unusually big horse when he became considerably distressed; seemed to feel too warm; suffered a shortness of breath. He behaved very much as did Jones. He went outdoors for air and lay down; he turned red and flushed in the face; had severe pains in his chest and arms; in about 30 minutes he drove home and died before a doctor arrived. Two physicians testified at the hearing but were unable to be positive as
After analyzing the evidence, this court, speaking through Mr. Justice McDonough, stated:
“While the two physicians who testified at the hearing stated they were uncertain as to the exact cause of death, Dr. J. W. Hagan testified, ‘It was a heart condition; in my opinion he had coronary occlusion,’ * * * Dr. Merrill L. Oldroyd, * * * stated that, ‘the only way to determine the cause of death would be by autopsy, but I would assume he sustained an acute heart affliction.’ ”
And the court concluded that the opinion of the doctors, even though somewhat uncertain, which was not disputed, pointed so definitely to the conclusion that the heart attack and death resulted from employment that it was arbitrary and unreasonable for the Commission to disregard that evidence. The court cited and relied on the Hammond and Dee Hospital cases, supra, saying:
“The Hammond and Dee Hospital cases are the law in this jurisdiction. They establish that where a person engaged in the duties of his employment suffers an internal injury from overexertion or unusual strain in the performance of those duties, resulting disability or death is compensable. An acute heart affliction caused by overwork, unusual strain or overexertion while the employee is acting in the course of his employment, strictly speaking is an internal injury, but it is nevertheless an accident.”
The circumstances in the instant case make it fit into the pattern of the law set forth in those cases. The inescapable facts are that Jones lost his life from an injury which, under our prior decisions, is classified as accidental, and
There is substantial, competent evidence which points so unerringly to the conclusion that the injury did result from the employment that we are persuaded that the Commission acted unreasonably and arbitrarily in refusing to believe it. There is no evidence of any substance to the contrary. The decision and order of the Commission are, therefore, vacated and set aside and the cause remanded for further proceedings consistent herewith.
WADE and McDONOUGH, JJ., concur.
WOLFE, Chief Justice (dissenting).
It would indeed be a flinty hearted man who would not be affected by the plight of the little family of this unfortunate and conscientious man and who would not hope that the family would receive some monetary compensation. But the economic and social problem involved is far broader than the plight of one family. If, in these heart cases, the door is opened to cover cases where the self-insurers, who are among the bigger employers of labor, are compelled to pay benefits in cases of doubtful industry-connected deaths, then in times of plentitude of labor, as contrasted to this period of comparative shortage, we may expect strict physical examination of applicants for jobs. One of the
At the outset it seems hardly necessary after all these years to say that the test of whether the Commission acted unreasonably in its conclusions is not as to whether it took the most or more reasonable view. The test is whether it acted without a basis of reason and the test of that is generally said to be whether any man acting with reason applied to the apposite case could have found as did the Commission. I expiated on this theme in my dissenting opinion in the case of Dole v. Ind. Comm., 115 Utah 311, 204 P. 2d 462. In these close cases, there is always a temptation to find the Commission arbitrary when its conclusions involve hardship and seem unreasonable to us but the objective “reasonable man” test which I analyzed in the Dole case still pertains. The instant case I consider closer than the Dole case. Had I been the Commission, I think I would have found difficulty in concluding that
“there is no evidence of exertion or fatigue and that deceased was not subjected to any of these factors in a degree materially in excess of the exertion, etc. to which all individuals in every walk of life or at home are subjected.”
Heart failure cases previously considered by this court: In the case of Dee Hospital v. Ind. Comm., 104 Utah 61, 138 P. 2d 233, the Commission made an award and we sustained it while in the case of Woodburn v. Ind. Comm., 111 Utah 393, 181 P. 2d 209, the Commission refused an award and we affirmed it. Likewise, in O‘Brien v. Ind. Comm., 90 Utah 266, 61 P. 2d 418, we sustained the Commission in denying compensation. In Gerber v. Ind. Comm., 91 Utah 479, 64 P. 2d 1281, the Commission denied an award and we sustained. In Cherdron Construction Co. v. Simpkins, 61 Utah 493, 214 P. 593, the Commission made an award which we sustained. In Columbia Steel Co. v. Ind. Comm., 92 Utah 72, 66 P. 2d 124, where the Commission awarded compensation for death from a ruptured aorta caused by jolting while running a bulldozer, we sustained. In Hammond v. Ind. Comm., 84 Utah 67, 34 P. 2d 687, the Commission denied an award for death from acute dilation of the heart due to strain and we reversed because of an error of concept of law by the Commission in holding that all the evidence that the heart failure was industry-connected was hearsay. True, in Robertson v. Ind. Comm., 109 Utah 25, 163 P. 2d 331, we did reverse the Commission in denying an award. In the Robertson case, we reversed because we concluded that the Commission under the evidence was arbitrary in refusing an award. The writer dissented in the Robertson case. It may be stated that there is a presumption that the Commission acted with reason and unless it clearly appears that it did arbitrarily, that is, with no basis of reason in the matter, we should uphold the Commission.
“It possibly is related in this particular case but I don‘t think you can dogmatically say that it is a cause and effect or it has no effect.”
He testified that medical literature was replete with statements that there was no relationship between effort and coronary thrombosis; also that the contrary view is expressed. In O‘Brien v. Ind. Comm., supra, we affirmed a denial of compensation in a death case due to a tumor which it was contended was the result of an accident arising out of the employment. In answering plaintiff‘s contention that the Commission was bound to make an award to plaintiff because a medical expert testified that it was probable that trauma had caused a tumor, we stated [90 Utah 266, 61 P. 2d 418]:
“The mere statement that the proposition is probable presupposes a conflict in the evidence, since the word probable as above defined means there ‘is more evidence in favor of its existence than against it.’ If there is evidence both in favor of and against the proposition, it is a matter of weighing evidence which is the prerogative of the commission and not of this court.”
Dr. Peterson in his use of the word “possibly“, taken in its frame of reference meant that there is less chance of an event occurring or being caused than if its likelihood is described as probable. He meant that there was only a chance that it was industry-connected, however unlikely but not impossible. He meant to save his opinion from being dogmatic or being absolute. The word “possibly” is defined in Webster‘s New International Dictionary, 2d Ed., as
“In a possible manner; by possible means; * * * by merest chance; perhaps; maybe.”
The main opinion cites somewhat cavalierly the statement that
“this court has repeatedly held that the Workmen‘s Compensation Act should be liberally construed to effectuate its purposes, and where there is doubt, it should be resolved in favor of coverage of the employee.”
“to be liberally construed with a view to effect the objects of the statutes and to promote justice.”
It pertains not to questions of fact but to questions of law. The prevailing opinion cites M&K Corporation v. Ind. Comm., 112 Utah 488, 189 P. 2d 132, 134, as holding that
“where there is doubt, it should be resolved in favor of coverage of the employee.”
The case of M&K Corporation v. Ind. Comm., supra, was a case which involved the construction of the language of the Act. The question was as to whether an accident arose out of or in the course of the employment when a father allowed his young son—too young to legally drive—to convey a truck through Sardine Canyon as a result of which the father was killed. There was no question of fact involved. In the opinion this court stated:
“We have also repeatedly held that this statute [meaning the Workmen‘s Compensation Act] should be liberally construed and if there is any doubt respecting the right to compensation it should be resolved in favor of recovery.” (Emphasis mine.)
Of course, what we meant in the M&K case was a doubt in statutory construction or application. Certainly we did not mean that in every doubtful case the Commission should
The rule that pertains in respect to a factual situation is that the applicant has the burden of proof in establishing his case. If, after all the facts are considered, the Commission finds the scales in balance, the situation is left in equipoise and the applicant cannot recover. In order to recover the evidence must, qualitatively and quantitatively considered, weigh or preponderate in favor of the applicant. As to whether the evidence does so preponderate is, of course, largely a matter of the judgment of the fact finder. But unless the Commission finds without basis of reason that the burden of proof has not been met either because it chooses to believe one doctor‘s testimony as against two others or because it believes for other valid reasons that the failure of the heart was not industry-connected, we cannot reverse.
What would cause one man to find the proof insufficient and another ample to preponderate in favor of the applicant involves certain imponderables. Some minds are cautious, very conscientious and come to their conclusions with a great sense of responsibility and deliberation. But a slowly acting mind is not necessarily more accurate nor more sound than a fast one, and quickness of mind does not necessarily denote lack of consideration, although the impulsive, explosive, jerky or jumpy mind is more apt to be required more often to make revisions in its conclusions.
“Because there is a margin for different minds to react differently from the same evidence and even with the benefit of the imponderables, and still be within the area in which a mind may operate reasonably—that is with reason, we have in the past recognized the reasonable man test.” Sine v. Harper, 118 Utah 415, 222 P. 2d 571 at page 585.
HENRIOD, J., concurs in the results of the dissenting opinion by Mr. Chief Justice WOLFE.