McCall v. Motor Fuel Carriers

Decision Date11 May 1945
Citation155 Fla. 854,22 So.2d 153
PartiesMcCALL et al. v. MOTOR FUEL CARRIERS, Inc., et al.
CourtFlorida Supreme Court

Rehearing Denied June 1, 1945.

Appeal from Circuit Court, Alachua County; John A. H. Murphree judge.

Evan T Evans, of Jacksonville, for appellants.

E. A Clayton, John H. Cotten, and Baxter & Clayton, all of Gainesville, for appellees.

ADAMS, Justice.

The Florida Industrial Commission awarded compensation to claimants for the death of their son. The circuit court reversed the award because the claimants were not shown to be dependents. From the latter judgment this appeal is taken.

The only testimony is that of the claimants. There are no substantial conflicts in it, consequently our determination must rest upon the legal effect of the evidence. The Commission's award was based upon our decision in the cases of Moorer v. Putnam Lumber Co., 152 Fla. 520 12 So.2d 370; Williams Brothers Corporation et al v Rufus McAmy Hicks et al., Fla., 16 So.2d 432.

The gist of the evidence is that the father, 67 years of age, is too infirm to earn a living. The mother, past 60 years old, is without earning power. The family consisted of father, mother and the 21 year old son, now deceased.

The father owned a modest home, but other than that neither parent owned any property. The son had served several months in the United States Navy; had received a medical discharge and, thereafter, until has death, had held several jobs. While in the navy he sent sums of ten, twenty, fifty and, on one occasion, one hundred dollars to his parents. After he was discharged from the nevy he worked a while for the Express Company, during which time he contributed thirty dollars, regularly, every two weeks to his parents' support.

At the age of 16 the boy quit school and went to work. At all times, when employed, he contributed to the support of his parents. When he met his death his parents were forced to borrow money for burial expenses. They had exhausted all of their accumulations, except their home, in combating disease and misfortune. With the loss of their son the last able-bodied breadwinner was gone. This law was purposely enacted to meet this kind of a situation. The Court has been liberal in construing its every provision to effectuate this purpose. It is clear beyond any question that the Industrial Commission was justified in the award. The rule is well established that their award will be upheld...

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9 cases
  • Town of Crescent City v. Green
    • United States
    • United States State Supreme Court of Florida
    • December 14, 1951
    ...the Florida Industrial Commission affirmed. Counsel in support of their position cite the following authorities: McCall v. Motor Fuel Carriers, Inc., 155 Fla. 854, 22 So.2d 153; Crawford v. Benrus Market, Fla., 40 So.2d 889, and Sonny Boy's Fruit Co. v. Compton, Fla., 46 So.2d An answer to ......
  • International Minerals & Chemical Corp. v. Tucker
    • United States
    • United States State Supreme Court of Florida
    • December 18, 1951
    ...Fla. 520, 12 So.2d 370. It is true that certain language or dicta appearing in the opinions of this Court, towit: McCall v. Motor Fuel Carriers, 155 Fla. 854, 22 So.2d 153; Crawford v. Benrus Market, Fla., 40 So.2d 889, and Sonny Boy's Fruit Co. v. Compton, Fla., 46 So.2d 17, and similar ca......
  • City of Miami v. Granlund
    • United States
    • United States State Supreme Court of Florida
    • May 22, 1963
    ...Co. v. Williams, Fla.1956, 85 So.2d 619; Webb v. Perini, Walsh, Mills & Blythe Bros., 2 FCR 9 (1956); McCall v. Motor Fuel Carriers, Fla.1945, 155 Fla. 854, 22 So.2d 153; McKinney v. State ex rel. Ersoff, Fla.1955, 83 So.2d When, as in this case, the incidence of Granlund's death took place......
  • U.S. Cas. Co. v. Maryland Cas. Co.
    • United States
    • United States State Supreme Court of Florida
    • October 5, 1951
    ...The case of Sonny Boy's Fruit Co. v. Compton, Fla., 46 So.2d 17, is cited as authority to sustain this view. See McCall v. Motor Fuel Carriers, Inc., 155 Fla. 854, 22 So.2d 153; Crawford v. Benrus Market, Fla., 40 So.2d 889. An answer to the following question may be determinative of the co......
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