Horn v. Davis Brothers, Inc.

340 Mich. 460 (1954) 65 N.W.2d 793

HORN
v.
DAVIS BROTHERS, INC.

Docket No. 27, Calendar No. 46,093.

Supreme Court of Michigan.

Decided September 8, 1954.

William K. Campbell and Stanley L. Hoyle (Harold Helper, of counsel), for plaintiff.

Alexander, Cholette, Buchanan, Perkins & Conklin (E. Dean Alexander, of counsel), for defendant.

KELLY, J.

Plaintiff herein seeks to recover damages as the result of alleged negligence on the part of defendant's agents and servants on February 11, 1952, while the plaintiff was engaged in the construction of a hospital in the city of Dearborn. At the time of plaintiff's injury he was employed by the Johns-Manville Sales Corporation, and on March 10, 1952, made written claim for compensation under the Michigan workmen's compensation act, and was thereafter paid compensation by his employer's compensation carrier, as required by Michigan law.

At the time of the accident section 15, part 3, of the workmen's compensation act (CL 1948, § 413.15 [Stat Ann 1950 Rev § 17.189]) provided:

"Where the injury for which compensation is payable under this act was caused under circumstances creating a legal liability in some person other than the employer to pay damages in respect thereof, the employee may at his option proceed either at law against that person to recover damages, or against the employer for compensation under this act, but not against both, and if compensation be paid under this act the employer may enforce for his benefit or for that of the insurance company carrying such risk, or the commissioner of insurance, as the case may be, the liability of such other person."

The above quoted section was amended by PA 1952, No 155, said amendment providing in part (CLS 1952, § 413.15 [Stat Ann 1953 Cum Supp § 17.189]):

"Where the injury for which compensation is payable under this act was caused under circumstances creating a legal liability in some person other than a natural person in the same employ or the employer to pay damages in respect thereof, the acceptance of compensation benefits or the taking of proceedings to enforce compensation payments shall not act as an election of remedies, but such injured employee or his dependents or their personal representative may also proceed to enforce the liability of such third party for damages in accordance with the provisions of this section."

Plaintiff's declaration specifically alleged that the case is governed by the 1952 amendment. Defendant in its answer claimed that under the facts in this case the law prior to the 1952 amendment applied and, therefore, plaintiff having elected to take workmen's compensation is barred from bringing this action.

Plaintiff, under Michigan Court Rule No 17, § 7, (1945) moved to strike the defendant's affirmative defense on the ground that as a matter of law the 1952 amendment applied. The court entered judgment upon the pleadings, as follows:

"This cause coming on to be heard on a motion for judgment upon the pleadings, the court finds that the defendant is not guilty as the plaintiff has complained against them, as a matter of law the plaintiff cannot proceed against the defendant under PA 1952, No 155.

"Therefore, it is adjudged that the plaintiff take nothing by his suit and without costs to both parties."

Plaintiff appeals on the ground that the trial court erred in determining as a matter of law that plaintiff is not entitled to recover under PA 1952, No 155.

This case is controlled by Rookledge v. Garwood, ante, 444. The judgment of the trial court is set aside, vacated and held for naught, and the cause is remanded to the lower court for trial on the merits. The construction of a statute being involved, no costs will be allowed.

BUTZEL, C.J., and CARR, BUSHNELL, SHARPE, BOYLES, REID, and DETHMERS, JJ., concurred.