State ex rel. Carr v. Industrial Commission
State ex rel. Carr v. Industrial Commission
Opinion of the Court
The principal question presented by the demurrer is whether the provisions of Section 1465-72», General Code, limiting the right to file a claim for compensation to two years, apply to a claim for an additional award of compensation on account of the violation of a specific requirement.
It is disclosed by the petition that the Industrial
It is contended, however, that this statute has no application here because of the provisions of Section 1465-86, General Code, that the powers and jurisdiction of the Industrial Commission shall be continuing and that it “may from time to time make such modification or change with respect to former findings or orders with respect thereto, as, in its opinion may be justified.”
The relatrix did not seek any modification or change of the former finding and order of the commission. That finding and order had been made pursuant to the provisions of Section 1465-82, General Code, which specifies the award to be made under various conditions of dependency therein enumerated, in case the injury causes death. It was the maximum award that could be made under the provisions of that section. The additional award thereafter sought by the relatrix is under favor of Article II, Section 35 of the Consti
Another distinction between the ordinary award and the additional award authorized for violation of a specific requirement is that the former is paid out of the fund while the latter must be paid by the employer. It therefore amounts in a practical way to a claim against the employer, though the amount thereof is fixed and determined by the Industrial Commission.
We have said the employer is required to pay such additional award. Except in the case of a self-insurer, it is paid from the fund, and reimbursement procured through the assessment of additional premiums upon such employer. The theory urged by the relatrix would open the way for enforced inquiry as to the vio
This brings us to the further question presented by the demurrer: Do the facts alleged in the amended petition serve to toll the statute? These facts are in substance that the relatrix could not obtain knowledge and information of the violation of the specific requirements until on or about October 1, 1933, because the coal company and its officers conspired to and did withhold from the relatrix and others evidence pertinent to the cause and inception of the explosion in question. There is no claim of fraud arising from a fiduciary relation. Boiled down, the complaint is that the officers of the coal company did not, prior to October 1,' 1933, disclose facts from which it would appear that there was a violation of a specific lawful- requirement. There is no exception or saving clause which prevents the running of the statute upon the ground stated in the amended petition. “It has long been a well-settled rule in Ohio that a person’s lack of knowledge of his right of action does not prevent the running of the statute, or postpone the commencement of the period of limitation, until he discovers the facts, or learns of his rights thereunder. The plea of the statute goes to the existence of the cause of action, and not to knowledge of it.” 25 Ohio Jurisprudence, 597-598; Townsend v. Eichelberger, 51 Ohio St., 213, 38 N. E., 207.
The same general rule must be applied in the construction and application of the limitations provisions
Writ denied.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- The State, ex rel. Carr v. Industrial Commission of Ohio
- Status
- Published