Snooks's Case

One who is entitled to compensation under the workmen’s compensation act, G. L. c. 152, cannot claim compensation for existing disability or suffering which can be lessened by resort to the reasonable remedies and operations of the medical and surgical practice of the time and place if these are not attended with serious risk to life or member and if the outcome reasonably to be expected is beneficial. The test is not his willingness to submit to operation, but his right to guard fife and limb from unreasonable peril. We have said in Floccher’s Case, 221 Mass. 54, 55, that if the claimant is…