Brown v. Industrial Commission

Wisconsin Supreme Court
Brown v. Industrial Commission, 295 N.W. 695 (Wis. 1940)
236 Wis. 569; 1941 Wisc. LEXIS 367
Fairchild

Brown v. Industrial Commission

Opinion of the Court

Fairchild, J.

Appellant claims that the findings of the commission, confirmed by the circuit court, are conclusions of law subject to review, rather than findings of fact which are conclusive. Fie insists that transportation to and from work was a part of the consideration. The terms of the contract of employment are important. The specific contract provisions are facts to be found by the commission which if supported by credible evidence are conclusive. Tesch v. Industrial Comm. 200 Wis. 616, 229 N. W. 194; Indrebo v. Industrial Comm. 209 Wis. 272, 243 N. W. 464. At most, the use of the car was an allowance in the way-of pay which placed no obligation on the employer to transport appellant to and from work. An employer, agreeing in his contract with an employee merely to permit the use of one of his automobiles by the employee in going between the employee’s home and the employer’s place of business, does not become liable for the transportation of the employee. Bloom v. Krueger, 182 Wis. 29, 195 N. W. 851, 23 N. C. C. A. 319; Geldnich v. Burg, 202 Wis. 209, 231 N. W. 624; Ohrmund v. Industrial Comm. 211 Wis. 153, 246 N. W. 589; Goldsworthy v. Industrial Comm. 212 Wis. 544, 250 N. W. 427; Wisconsin Carbonic *571 Gas Co. v. Industrial Comm. 219 Wis. 234, 262 N. W. 704; Githens v. Industrial Comm. 220 Wis. 658, 265 N. W. 662. Ordinarily, an employee going to his place of employment is in the prosecution of his own business. There is nothing in the facts presented to show any means by which the employer could control the transportation or the use of the automobile which the employee was permitted to use. The understanding was that the salesmen could use a car at any time for their own purposes, so long as they did not abuse the privilege. If no car was available, the employer was under no obligation to furnish one.

By the Court. — Judgment affirmed.

Reference

Full Case Name
Brown, Appellant, vs. Industrial Commission and Others, Respondents
Cited By
5 cases
Status
Published