Crowder v. Woodward Iron Co. , 211 Ala. 111 ( 1924 )

This proceeding under the Workmen's Compensation Law is prosecuted jointly by the dependent father and mother of a deceased employee.

The point is raised that under section 14, subsecs. (3) and (3A), Acts 1919, p. 218, compensation must be paid to dependents "in the order named," that the mother is named before the father, and for this reason compensation must go to the mother only, especially where the minimum fixed by statute is allowed. This contention misconceives the effect of the above provisions of the statute.

Subsection (12) of the same section reads:

"If the deceased employee leave no widow or child or husband entitled to any payment hereunder, but should leave a parent or parents, either or both of whom are wholly dependent on the deceased, there shall be paid if only one parent, twenty-five per centum of the average weekly earnings of the deceased, and if both parents, thirty-five per centum of the average weekly earnings of the deceased to such parent or parents."

It will be noted that the amount of compensation is determined by whether one or both parents are dependent. If both are dependent the statute makes the compensation payable to both.

Subsection (13) of the same section names another group of possible dependents, and provides for payment of compensation to one, or, if more than one, an increased compensation, to be divided between them.

Subsections (5) to (11), inclusive, also fix the order and provide the manner of payment to legal and actual dependents therein named.

Taken together, the clear purpose is that payments shall be made to dependents, total or partial, in the order named in subsection (3), but in amount and manner fixed by the subsections following and other provisions of the statute.

In section 21, subsec. (2), p. 225, it is provided that the employer may suggest adverse claimants not before the court, require them to interplead, and have all claims settled in the one proceeding, to the end that he shall receive a full discharge upon payment of the amount awarded.

In this summary proceeding, all persons claiming as members of a defined class of dependents may unite in the same complaint. Others, who claim in common with or in opposition to any party plaintiff, may intervene and set up their claims, or, failing so to do, the employer may bring them in by interpleader. The determination of the judge filed with the clerk should contain a statement of the law and facts and conclusions upon these several issues. Section 28, p. 227.

The question of first moment in this case is whether the parents were partial dependents of the deceased employee. The findings of the trial judge upon this issue were:

"The evidence shows that the deceased, Grady Crowder, was working for the defendant and killed by accident arising out of and in the course of his employment; that he and defendant are subject to the compensation law and the defendant has had notice or knowledge of the accident; that Grady was living with his father and mother, L. B. Crowder and wife, had been working 33 days and earned 78.45 or 14.16 per week up to time of his death; that he had bought groceries and supplies for the house, with check from the commissary, and had only $10 cash due him on the only pay day he had, giving $5 or $6 of that to his father; that he was 26 years old but had not agreed to pay any board, nor had he agreed to furnish parents with any supplies or money.

"The evidence further showed that L. B. Crowder, the father, was working for same defendant regularly for past 12 months, had earned $1,295.45 or $24.91 weekly, was in debt for doctor's bill and other things and had been paying them; had paid about $150 to doctors, $50 to $60 for medicine, $100 for domestic servant, washing and housework, and from $100 to $200 on other debts during the past twelve months; that it cost from $100 to $125 per month to run the home.

"It is ordered and decreed by the court that L. B. Crowder and wife were not wholly dependents of deceased, but that he was contributing to their support at the rate of $10 per week; that they were partial dependents, having a total income of $34.91 per week including the contribution of $10 by the deceased."

Subsection (3A), § 14, Acts of 1919, p. 218, defines partial dependents thus:

"Any member of a class named in subdivision (3), who regularly derived part of his support from the earnings of the deceased workman at the time of his death and for a reasonable period of time immediately prior thereto shall be considered his partial dependent and payment of compensation shall be made to such partial dependents in the order named."

In Pushor et ux. v. American Ry. Exp. Co., 149 Minn. 308,183 N.W. 839, a minor son turned over his earnings to his mother to be used with other income for ordinary family expenses. The court said:

"The statute was construed and applied in Fleckenstein Brewing Co. v. District Court, 134 Minn. 324, 159 N.W. 755, where the facts were substantially the same as here. 'The test of dependency,' said the court, 'is not whether' the boy's parents 'could support life without' his 'contributions, * * * but whether they regularly received from his wages part of their income or means of living.' It seems to us that the rights of the parties are determined by that case. It was cited with approval in Milwaukee Basket Co. v. Industrial Commission (Wis.) 181 N.W. 308, where the facts were almost identical with those in the case at bar. The deceased workman was a 19 year old boy, one of a family of six children who lived with their parents. The father, a younger brother, and two sisters were wage earners. A year before the boy's death the parents had purchased the house where the family lived. During the year $900, taken from the common earnings of the family, had been paid on the purchase price. The remainder of the earnings was used to support the family. It was held that the boy's parents were partially dependent for their support upon the earnings of their son, and that compensation should be fixed on the basis of the difference between the amount he earned and the amount necessarily taken from the general family purse for his individual care and support. With respect to the payments for the house, the court remarked that they should be considered as part of the necessary support of the family sheltered under its roof and as the equivalent of rent, which, under present day conditions, is so large an item in the household budget. In Conners v. Public Service Elec. Co., 89 N.J. Law, 99,97 A. 792, an adult son, living with his parents, gave his weekly wage to his mother. His father, mother, and a sister were all wage earners. The court said that since the earnings of the deceased son went to the general support of the family, it was a legitimate inference that the family was deriving substantantial benefit from the fact that he remained at home and voluntarily gave his wages into the common fund. It was accordingly held that the father, mother, and sister were actual dependents of the deceased."

In the record now before us there is a bill of exceptions in aid of the review by certiorari. The office of such bill of exceptions has been restated with full citation of authorities in the recent case of Ex parte Woodward Iron Co. (Dowdell's Case) 99 So. 97.¹

Appellant insists that the findings of the trial judge were too meager or omissive to fully inform the court of review on the point of dependency; that, with the additional evidence shown by bill of exceptions, the entire record discloses no evidence to support the conclusion that the father and mother were partial dependents of the deceased son.

An examination of the bill of exceptions discloses that the evidence as to earnings of the father and son was given by the employer. The contributions of the son to the family support, and the outlays for family expenses were shown by, the undisputed evidence of the father. The findings of the court on these points are in full accord with the testimony.

But it was further shown that the deceased son was without employment for some 18 months before entering upon his last employment, that during this time he was in good health, lived at home, and was supported out of the family income. The argument seems to be that the parents had not derived a part of their support from the earnings of deceased for a reasonable period of time immediately preceding his death, that, taking the year or 18 months' period preceding his death he had received more in support than he had contributed.

In general, it may be said an actual dependent is one who looked to decedent, partially or wholly, for support. The reasonable expectation of continuing support seems to be the general criterion. Under some statutes this expectation may be based on contract or legal obligation for future support, although no actual support has been given. 28 R. C. L. 770 to 774. Under out statute dependency rests upon actual support at the time of, and for a reasonable period prior to, the death of the employee.

What is a "reasonable time"? This is essentially a conclusion of fact. This statutory phrase on its face implies that the trior of fact shall look to all the circumstances of the particular case. If the deceased was regularly contributing to the support of his parents at the time of his death, and had been for such time prior thereto as to lead to a fair conclusion that he would continue to do so but for his sudden taking off, this was a reasonable time.

This court will not disturb the finding of the trial judge if there is any evidence before him tending to support his conclusion. Ex parte Nunnally Co., 209 Ala. 82, 95 So. 343; Ex parte Sloss-Sheffield S. I. Co. (Greek's Case) 207 Ala. 219,92 So. 458.

We conclude there are no facts brought into the record by bill of exceptions to overturn the findings in this case under the rules adopted by this court after the fullest consideration.

Our attention is directed to certain objections to evidence on the trial. It was entirely proper to show that the father's income was burdened with rent, taxes, servant hire, doctor bills, or other items in the nature of overhead charges in the family budget. These reduced the amount available for supplies, and tended to show that the son's contribution of his earnings made it easier for the father and mother to live. We mention this for the guidance of judges who have the responsibility of administering this humane statute. This court does not disturb their findings because of mere errors in the admission of evidence, where there is legal evidence to support the judgment rendered. Bills of exception are not allowed for a review of such questions. Woodward Iron Co. v. Bradford, 206 Ala. 447,90 So. 803.

There was no error in the judgment directing payment of the attorney's fee out of the first moneys paid in under the award. In the case of Woodward Iron Co. v. Bradford, supra, the decree directed the attorney's fee to be paid by the employer in a lump sum without his consent. It is not analogous to the case at bar.

We find no error in the record. Writ denied and judgment affirmed.

ANDERSON, C. J., and SOMERVILLE and THOMAS, JJ., concur.

¹ Ante, p. 74.