E. G. O’Neal made a claim ag’ainst Multi-Purpose Manufacturing Company and its insurer for workmen’s
O’Neal, is a welder by occupation. In July 1958, he underwent a gall bladder operation. Thereafter, in October of the same year, he underwent another abdominal operation. The surgery, in both instances, was successful.
While working in the employ of the Multi-Purpose Manufacturing Company on July 1, 1959, he lifted a housing for a tractor elevator or stilts. A pain hit him in the abdomen. He reported the injury to his shop foreman, K. T. Sanders, who later, after O’Neal became nauseated, carried him to Dr. W. L. Stallworth for examination. On the advice of the doctor, O’Neal stayed off his feet and did no work until July 20th, at which time he returned to his job. He followed, as nearly as he could, the advice of the doctor not to lift anything heavy, and his employer furnished help to handle heavy objects. Because of pain and discomfort in connection with his work, Dr. Stallworth, who continued to see O’Neal a number of times, put an abdominal type brace on him. The claimant had worked regularly from July 20, 1959, until June 22, 1960, the date of the hearing. All employees had been given wage increases and his wage was increased from $1.47 to $1.55 per hour. O’Neal cannot lift as much as he did before the injury, and he suffers pain, if he tries to do so. His shop foreman testified that his work was satisfactory both before and
As stated above, Dr. Stallworth examined and treated the claimant. On December 7, 1959, Dr. Elton S. Thomas examined him. Dr. Dempsey C. Strange of Oktibbeha County examined the claimant on April 8, 1960. Thereafter, on April 30, 1960, Dr: Grlenn B. Richardson examined the claimant. Drs. Stallworth and Strange did not testify, but their statements, by agreement of the parties, were introduced in evidence.
Dr. Stallworth, in his written statement under date of September 21, 1959, referring to his examination of the claimant on July 1, 1959, and subsequent treatments, said: “At this time he complained of acute tenderness at the site of an old gall bladder incision. This scar was very weak, potentially herniated. He was seen at intervals since that time, he continued to have discomfort at work. On September 11, 1959, he was measured for an abdominal support-Camp binder. He was advised to continue to wear this while at work or either resort to further surgery, which is very likely to be needed in the future.”
Dr. Elton S. Thomas testified at a hearing on October 11, 1960. He had seen O’Neal on December 7, 1959, and made a complete examination. He said that the claimant was having pain, on palpitation, in the old gall-bladder incision. At that time, he found no evidence of hernia in the abdominal wall. His diagnosis was “a strain of the muscles of the abdomen and strain on the post-operative wound.” This affected the scar tissue, and the muscular structure of the entire abdominal wall, including the soft tissue. Of course if he developed a hernia, it should be repaired by surgery. While he thought that the man ought to have already recovered from the injury, at the same time he was of the opinion that a full recovery should be effected
Dr. Dempsey C. Strange of Starkville examined O’Neal on April 8, 1960. His statement, of the same date, said: “I have examined Mr. E. G. O’Neal today. He gave a history of lifting heavy object while at work on July 1, 1959, at which time he experienced severe pain in right upper abdomen. This was in old scar from gallbladder surgery. There is no rupture now, only tenderness, but in my opinion this man is a potential candidate for a hernia, exaggerated by this injury. ’ ’
Dr. Glenn B. Richardson was offered as a witness for the claimant. He testified that he made his examination on April 30, 1960, after first obtaining a history of the case. In the doctor’s opinion, O’Neal had an abdominal weakness in the region of the scar which resulted from his past surgery. He found a definite weakness and bulging in the walls. In his opinion, the lifting could or would cause that condition. He described it as a weakness and not a hernia. In his opinion the condition was permanent and would affect his ability to lift heavy objects. He did not advise surgery unless the claimant was suffering terrible pain.
The medical evidence in this record is not actually conflicting, but can be easily reconciled just as the Court said in M. T. Reed Construction Co., et al. v. Martin,
The principle, announced in M. T. Reed Construction Company v. Martin, supra, has been reaffirmed in Lucedale Veneer Co., et al. v. Keel,
The same situation appears in the present case. Dr. Thomas’ belief that claimant would be fully recovered within three months after his examination did not prove to be a fact. This has been demonstrated by the opinions of Drs. Strange and Richardson; and Dr. Thomas said that, if such condition existed at the time of those examinations, he would be unable to. say how long this condition will last.
It is true that the claimant actually suffered no loss in pay from the date of his return to work until the date when he gave his testimony, as shown above. This good fortune, however, must be credited to the kindness and generosity of his employer. He has no assurance that he will continue to be the beneficiary of such magnanimity. At the time of the hearing, he had a disability which prevented him from performing some of the acts and duties incidental to his occupation as a welder. Obviously, such impairment has diminished his capacity for earning wages in that occupation.
There was no factual basis upon which compensation could be rightly denied in this case. The award, as made by the attorney-referee, was a proper one and should have been approved.
Consequently the order of the Commission and the judgment of the circuit court will be reversed, and a judgment will be entered here, allowing compensation and other benefits as awarded by the order of the attorney-referee.
Reversed and judgment here for the appellants; and remanded to the Commission.
