Yunker v. Labor and Industry Review Com'n

• Decision Date: 10 October 1983
• Docket Number: No. 83-388,83-388
• Citation: 341 N.W.2d 703,115 Wis.2d 525
• Parties: John R. YUNKER, Petitioner-Appellant, v. LABOR AND INDUSTRY REVIEW COMMISSION, Warner-Lambert Company and Hartford Accident & Indemnity Company, Respondents.
• Court: Wisconsin Court of Appeals

Page 703

341 N.W.2d 703

115 Wis.2d 525

John R. YUNKER, Petitioner-Appellant, v.LABOR AND INDUSTRY REVIEW COMMISSION, Warner-Lambert Company and Hartford Accident & Indemnity Company, Respondents.

No. 83-388.

Court of Appeals of Wisconsin.

Submitted on Briefs Sept. 19, 1983.

Opinion Released Oct. 10, 1983.

Opinion Filed Oct. 10, 1983.

Maris Rushevics and Anderson, Fisher, Shannon, O'Brien & Rice, Stevens Point, for petitioner-appellant.

Bronson C. La Follette, Atty. Gen., and Bruce A. Olsen, Asst. Atty. Gen., for respondents.

Before GARTZKE, P.J., and BABLITCH and DYKMAN, JJ.

DYKMAN, Judge.

John Yunker appeals from a judgment affirming a Labor and Industry Review Commission order dismissing his application for worker's compensation benefits.The Department of Labor, Industry and Human Relations dismissed Yunker's application on the ground that it was barred under sec. 102.17(4),Stats.1975, because the time for filing had lapsed.¹Issues raised on appeal are whether credible evidence supports the findings of fact, whether long term disability benefits are "wages" under sec. 102.17(4), Stats., and whether the employer is estopped from raising a statute of limitations defense.We affirm.

Yunker was employed by a drug manufacturing company as a pharmaceutical sales representative.His job required carrying heavy product cases to doctors' offices.In 1969, he began to experience pain in his left hip.In 1970 and again in January 1971, he fell while working.He told his supervisor about the second fall but did not seek medical treatment.His condition worsened so he began to use a cane and went to see a doctor in May 1972.The doctor recommended Yunker lessen his activity and wrote a letter advising the supervisor of his recommendation.

In January 1973, Yunker and his supervisor met to discuss his future with the company.He left his employment on January 15 but received full salary for four months and half salary for two months under the company's salary continuation plan.Since August 1, 1973, he has received long term disability payments from the employer's disability insurance carrier.He has had hip and shoulder replacements and has not worked since 1973.

Following surgery in 1978, Yunker's doctors discussed with him the possibility that his hip injury might be work related.He wrote his former employer on June 11, 1978, asking for worker's compensation claim forms.In July he received the forms and completed the first report of injury.He returned the form to his employer with a letter dated October 20, 1978.On January 29, 1979, a company representative acknowledged receipt of the form and stated that it had been forwarded to their worker's compensation insurer.On November 12, 1979, the Worker's Compensation Division received an application for hearing.By then, the six year limit of sec. 102.17(4),Stats.1975, had run unless the salary continuation plan was "wages" and the employer knew Yunker's injury was work related.

Following the hearing, the hearing examiner found that Yunker was not aware of the possible work related nature of his injury until 1978 and that the employer had no reason to know Yunker's condition was work related while it was paying him full or partial wages.He concluded Yunker's claim was barred by sec. 102.17(4),Stats.1975, and that the department had no authority to make a decision based on equity.Yunker appealed dismissal of his claim to the Labor and Industry Review Commission which affirmed the examiner's findings and order.He appeals from a circuit court judgment affirming its decision.

An agency's finding of fact will be upheld on review if there is credible and substantial evidence of record to sustain the finding made.Evans Bros. v. Labor & Ind. Rev. Comm., 113 Wis.2d 221, 225, 335 N.W.2d 886, 888(Ct.App.1983).The evidence must not be so completely discredited by other evidence as to be incredible as a matter of law.E.F. Brewer Co. v. ILHR Dept., 82 Wis.2d 634, 636, 264 N.W.2d 222, 223(1978).Even if we concluded the findings were contrary to the great weight and clear preponderance of the evidence, it would be beyond our jurisdiction to reverse.Id. at 636, 264 N.W.2d at 223-24.

Yunker challenges the finding that he was not aware of the work related nature of his condition until 1978.He testified he immediately told his supervisor of the 1971 fall and presented a November 1972 letter from his physician to this supervisor stating that Yunker's activities, particularly carrying heavy cases, should be restricted to prevent further deterioration of his condition.He also testified he considered filing a worker's compensation claim in 1978 after his doctors discussed with him the possibility that his condition was work related.The hearing examiner found that petitioner's first awareness that the condition might be work related resulted from this conversation.The testimony is equivocal but the finding is not so discredited as to be incredible.

Yunker also challenges the finding that the employer was unaware of the work related nature of his condition when it paid salary continuation and disability benefits.Based on Yunker's testimony the hearing examiner found the employer had no reason to know of the relationship between his condition and his work.The finding that Yunker did not know of the work related nature of his condition implies that his employer did not know.Where evidentiary facts are not in dispute but permit different inferences, the drawing of an inference is a finding of fact within the province of the department.Vocation.Tech. & Adult. Ed. Dist. 13 v. ILHR Dept., 76 Wis.2d 230, 239, 251 N.W.2d 41, 46(1977).The finding that the employer had no reason to know Yunker's condition was work related is supported by credible and substantial evidence.It is not incredible as a matter of law.

Yunker argues that the long term disability benefits he continues to receive from his former employer's insurance carrier are wages, payment of which toll the statute of limitations.Section 102.17(4),Stats.1975, limits the time for making worker's compensation claims to six years from the date compensation was last paid.Compensation includes...