Kokotovich v. Industrial Commission

69 Colo. 572 | Colo. | 1921

Mr. Justice Burke

delivered the opinion of the court.

The Industrial Commission of Colorado, under the provisions of the Workmen’s Compensation Act, found plaintiff in error totally and permanently disabled and allowed him the maximum, $8.00 per week for life, therefor. He petitioned for a lump sum settlement in lieu of this allowance. A hearing was had on that petition, testimony taken and the commission found that it was not for his best interests that his petition be granted and ordered-accordingly. Such further proceedings were had that the cause was regularly reviewed by the District Court which affirmed the findings and order of the commission. To review that judgment the cause is now before us on error.

The act in question authorizes the commission to order the payment of an award in installments or in a lump sum “as it may determine to be for the best interests of the parties concerned.” The method of payment thus rests within the discretion of the commission. The courts are • authorized to set aside an order of the commission only on the ground that it was procured by fraud, or is unsupported by the commission’s finding of fact, or beyond its power. Sec. 102, Chap. 210, Laws 1919.

There is no contention that the order here complained of was procured by fraud, and it was the proper order to enter on the fact as found. It can only be disturbed, if at all, on the ground that it was a gross abuse of discretion, hence in excess of the power of the commission. Plaintiff in error contends that the action of the commission in denying his petition for a lump sum settlement was “arbitrary, unreasonable, unjust and contrary to law and constitutes a gross abuse of discretion.” To establish this contention he calls attention to the following facts disclosed by the record: That Kokotovich had a wife and eight minor children all living and wholly dependent upon him for support; that he had no property and no income; that he was unable to perform manual labor of any kind; that he had been reared oh a farm and wished to purchase a small farm where he could maintain a home for himself and family and support and educate his children; that he was 33 years old and his expectancy was 33.92 years.

Assuming, bút not deciding, that these things may be considered as tending to establish the alleged abuse of discretion on the part of the Commission, the record discloses the further facts that Kokotovich, having been earning from $350 to $450 per month, and having since his injury drawn $34.72 a month compensation, plus $30 a month from some fraternal society to which he belonged, was within fifteen months of the date of the accident, penniless and $1200 in debt. Furthermore that neither plaintiff nor his wife ever conducted a business of any kind of their own.

No fixed rule can be laid down for determining whether weekly compensation or a lump sum should be allowed a claimant under our Workmen’s Compensation Act. In most cases the controlling factor must be the character, capacity and business ability of the claimant. In view of the foregoing facts this court cannot say that the commission abused its discretion.

“This court may consider only the legal question of whether there is evidence to support the finding.” Passini v. Industrial Commission, 64 Colo. 349, 171 Pac. 369.

Finding no error in the record the judgment is affirmed.

Mr. Chief Justice Scott and Mr. Justice Bailey concur.