WALTER P. ROSSITER, Claimant, v. STATE OF ILLINOIS, Respondent.
Case summary
Claimant sought compensation for a hand injury sustained while operating a mud-jack for the Division of Highways. The court denied the claim for lost wages because it was not filed within six months as required by the Workmen's Compensation Act, but awarded $18.00 for medical and hospital expenses.
Statutes cited: Section 24 W. C. A. Ill. Revised Statutes
Cases cited: City of Rochelle vs. Industrial Comm., 332 Ill. 386
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Headnotes
- WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION ACT-making claim for compensation under within time fixed therein, a condition precedent to jurisdiction. Making claim for compensation under provisions of Workmen's Compensation Act within time fixed therein is a condition precedent, without which, court is without jurisdiction to proceed with hearing.
- SAME-claim for services in rendering first aid and medical treatment not claim for compensation-not governed by Section 24 of Act but by general five year limitation statute. Claim for necessary first aid and medical treatment rendered injured employee is not claim for compensation under Workmen's Compensation Act and same is not required to be filed within the six months or one year fixed in Section 24 of the Act, but may be filed within period of general limitation statute of the Court of Claims.
Claimant filed his claim on August 11, 1933, alleging that on September 21, 1932 while employed by the Division of Highways of Illinois and while engaged in work on Highway No. 17 in helping to operate a mud-jack the latter was thrown into gear without warning and the knives and blades of same struck the right hand of claimant, whereby he suffered certain injuries and the loss of use of said right hand. Complaint further alleged that claimant's wages were $4.50 per day; that no compensation has been received for the said injury; that the claim has never been presented to any department or officer of the State and he files his Bill of Particulars as follows: [*106] Services of Dr. Barrackman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 13.00 St. Mary's Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.00 Loss of use of hand since Sept. 21, 1932 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,482.00 The Attorney General has filed a motion to strike from the Bill of Particulars Item No. 3, for the reason that same fails to show that any claim for compensation was made within six months after the date of the accident, as required by "Section 24" under the "Workmen's Compensation Act."
The injury, for which claim was filed, was received on September 21, 1932, and the records do not show that any claim for compensation was made until the claim was filed on August 11, 1933. Such being the situation, the claim of $1,482.00 for compensation cannot be maintained.
"No proceeding for compensation under this Act shall be maintained unless a claim for compensation has been made within six months after the accident."
Section 24 W. C. A. Ill. Revised Statutes.
"The making of a claim for compensation is jurisdictional and is a condition precedent to the right to maintain a proceeding under the Workmen's Compensation Act."
City of Rochelle vs. Industrial Comm., 332 Ill. 386.
The above rules would not apply to the rendering of first aid and medical treatment and an award in settlement of the bill of Dr. Barrackman for $13.00 and St. Mary's Hospital for $5.00 may be properly made.
The motion to strike from Bill of Particulars Item No. 3, for compensation for loss of use of hand, is allowed, and an award is hereby entered in favor of claimant, Walter P. Rossiter, for use of Dr. Barrackman, $13.00, and for the use of St. Mary's Hospital, $5.00, being a total of $18.00.
This award is made under the terms of the Workmen's Compensation Act of Illinois, and is payable, upon approval by the Governor, from the road fund appropriation, authorized under House Bill No. 1139, approved July 2, 1925.