Rice v. Thomasville Chair Co.

Decision Date12 June 1953
Docket NumberNo. 668,668
Citation238 N.C. 121,76 S.E.2d 311
PartiesRICE, v. THOMASVILLE CHAIR CO.
CourtNorth Carolina Supreme Court

W. H. Steed, Thomasville, for plaintiff, appellee.

Don A. Walser, Lexington, for defendant, appellant.

JOHNSON, J. The statute, G.S. § 97-2(r), provides:

'In all claims for compensation for hernia or rupture, resulting from injury by accident arising out of and in the course of the employee's employment, it must be definitely proven to the satisfaction of the Industrial Commission:

'First. That there was an injury resulting in hernia or rupture.

'Second. That the hernia or rupture appeared suddenly.

'Third. That it was accompanied by pain.

'Fourth. That the hernia or rupture immediately followed an accident.

'Fifth. That the hernia or rupture did not exist prior to the accident for which compensation is claimed.'

The defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to support the determinative findings and conclusions of the Commission. In particular, the defendant urges that the evidence does not support the finding that the hernia was the result of an accident; but, if so, and in any event, that the evidence does not sustain the finding that the hernia appeared suddenly or immediately following the accident.

A study of the record leaves the impression that the findings and conclusions are supported by the evidence. The crucial evidence is the plaintiff's testimony that the incident was accompanied by a sharp pain in his groin followed shortly by a swelling, and the opinion given by Dr. McDonald that the impulse which he found upon his first examination was in fact a hernia. Moore v. Engineering & Sales Co., 214 N.C. 424, 199 S.E. 605; Ussery v. Erlanger Cotton Mills, 201 N.C. 688, 161 S.E. 307.

Under the Workmen's Compensation Act the Industrial Commission is made the fact-finding body, and the rule is, as fixed by statute and the uniform decisions of this Court, that the findings of fact made by the Commission are conclusive on appeal, both in the Superior Court and in this Court, when supported by competent evidence. G.S. § 97-86; Fox v. Cramerton Mills, 225 N.C. 580, 35 S.E.2d 869; Hildebrand v. McDowell Furniture Co., 212 N.C. 100, 193 S.E. 294; Nissen v. City of Winston-Salem, 206 N.C. 888, 893, 175 S.E. 310. This is so, even though the record may support a contrary finding of fact. Riddick v. Richmond Cedar Works, 227 N.C. 647, 43 S.E.2d 850; Hegler v. Cannon Mills Co., 224 N.C. 669, 31 S.E.2d 918.

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14 cases
  • Morrison v. Burlington Industries, 114
    • United States
    • North Carolina Supreme Court
    • 6 Octubre 1981
    ...Inc., 292 N.C. 210, 232 S.E.2d 449 (1977); Anderson v. Construction Co., 265 N.C. 431, 144 S.E.2d 272 (1965); Rice v. Chair Co., 238 N.C. 121, 76 S.E.2d 311 (1953); Henry v. Leather Co., 231 N.C. 477, 57 S.E.2d 760 (1950). The appellate court does not retry the facts. It merely determines f......
  • Hansen v. Crystal Ford-Mercury, Inc., COA99-574.
    • United States
    • North Carolina Court of Appeals
    • 20 Junio 2000
    ...a contrary finding of fact.'" Inscoe v. Industries, Inc., 292 N.C. 210, 215, 232 S.E.2d 449, 452 (1977) (quoting Rice v. Chair Co., 238 N.C. 121, 124, 76 S.E.2d 311, 313 (1953)). When the Court of Appeals reviews a decision of the full Commission, its inquiry is limited to: (1) whether ther......
  • Hyatt v. Waverly Mills, 8110IC781
    • United States
    • North Carolina Court of Appeals
    • 16 Febrero 1982
    ...Inc., 292 N.C. 210, 232 S.E.2d 449 (1977); Anderson v. Construction Co., 265 N.C. 431, 144 S.E.2d 272 (1965); Rice v. Chair Co., 238 N.C. 121, 76 S.E.2d 311 (1953); Henry v. Leather Co., 231 N.C. 477, 57 S.E.2d 760 (1950). The appellate court does not retry the facts. It merely determines f......
  • Blalock v. City of Durham
    • United States
    • North Carolina Supreme Court
    • 23 Mayo 1956
    ...is evidence that would support a finding to the contrary. Watson v. Harris Clay Co., 242 N.C. 763, 89 S.E.2d 465; Rice v. Thomasville Chair Co., 238 N.C. 121, 76 S.E.2d 311; Johnson v. Erwin Cotton Mills, 232 N.C. 321, 59 S.E.2d 828; Creighton v. Snipes, 227 N.C. 90, 40 S.E.2d 612; Rewis v.......
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