Sedlow v. Peoples Wayne County Bank

Plaintiff while in the employ of defendant bank as a janitor fell from a step-ladder July 28, 1931, injuring his back and feet. A report of compensable accident was filed with the department of labor and industry; compensation at the rate of $16 per week was agreed upon and approved August 31, 1931. Under this agreement, compensation was paid to February 15, 1932, when a settlement receipt was signed which was approved by the department of labor and industry March 1, 1932. Plaintiff returned to work February 16, 1932, as a janitor and watchman and received his regular salary, which was later reduced along with other employees. Plaintiff was discharged or laid off April 4, 1933, and on April 28, 1933, filed a petition asking for further compensation. A hearing was had on this petition May 29, 1933, at which time plaintiff was not represented by an attorney, but was sworn as a witness and consented to the deputy commissioner entering an order denying his petition for further compensation.

On October 20, 1933, plaintiff filed another petition for further compensation, but when the cause came on for hearing December 21, 1933, the same was withdrawn at the request of plaintiff who had filed a petition for extension of time in which to appeal from the order of the deputy commissioner denying him an award on May 29, 1933, and also filed a petition to take additional testimony. Both of these petitions were granted and testimony taken from certain physicians based upon an examination of the plaintiff taken by these physicians approximately four months after the date of the hearing of the deputy commissioner. As a result of the evidence produced at this hearing plaintiff was granted compensation for partial disability at the rate of $4 per week from March 25, 1933, from which order defendants appeal and contend that the department of labor and industry exceeded its authority in granting plaintiff a delayed appeal.

Section 8447, 2 Comp. Laws 1929, provides that, "unless a claim for review is filed by either party within ten days, the decision shall stand as the decision of the industrial accident board:^* provided, That said industrial accident board may, for sufficient cause shown, grant further time in which to claim such review."

In Brunette v. Quincy Mining Co., 197 Mich. 301 (16 N.C. C. A. 743), we said:

"Extension of time on application and showing is plainly made by statute a matter of discretion with the board, which this court may not interfere with unless a palpable abuse of such discretion becomes manifest."

and also:

"Only in exceptional cases and for some special reason, the board may, upon a meritorious application showing in its judgment sufficient cause for further delay, grant an extension of time."

For cases upon this subject, see, also, Collins v. Albert A.Albrecht Co., 207 Mich. 627; Jones v. St. Joseph Iron Works,212 Mich. 174; Hosner v. Village of Romeo, 229 Mich. 654;Detroit United Railway v. Department of Labor Industry,231 Mich. 539; Suggs v. Ternstedt Manfg. Co., 232 Mich. 599.

An examination of plaintiff's petition for an extension of time in which to appeal discloses that he appeared before the deputy commissioner without counsel; that no testimony was taken as to his physical condition; that he claims he did not know what his rights were; and that he was misinformed by the deputy commissioner and defense attorney as to the law governing his case.

In the case at bar as in all such cases it is the duty of plaintiff to prove his case before the deputy commissioner in order to get an award for compensation. There was no duty upon the deputy commissioner to compel plaintiff to proceed to a hearing upon his case, nor is the fact that plaintiff chose to forego the aid of counsel any reason why he should be given priority of rights. We recognize that the granting of a delayed appeal in such cases is a matter of discretion with the department but such right is based upon reason and cause shown, and in this case we are unable to find that plaintiff presented sufficient reasons for the granting of a delayed appeal. The record shows that the petition upon which plaintiff was denied compensation was filed April 28, 1933; the hearing was held May 29, 1933; and the next petition was filed six and a half months later. The filing of this latter petition in our opinion is indicative that plaintiff intended to abandon the first petition filed. Nor does the withdrawal of this latter petition change the original intent to abandon.

To grant an appeal after a delay of six and a half months for the reasons shown in plaintiff's petition is an abuse of discretion; and in view of our holding in this cause it will be unnecessary to review the other matters presented.

The award should be vacated, with costs to defendant.

WIEST and POTTER, JJ., concurred with EDWARD M. SHARPE, J. FEAD, J., did not sit.

^* The powers and duties of the industrial accident board are now vested in the department of labor and industry. See 2 Comp. Laws 1929, § 8312. — REPORTER.