Southern Motor Car Co. v. Patterson

This is an action for an award of compensation for the death of Charles L. Patterson, an employee of the Southern Motor Car Company. The circuit court sustained the claim of the widow, but ruled that the other petitioners, nephew and mother-in-law of the employee, were not dependents.

The employer contends that the accidental death of Patterson was the result of his own willful misconduct, and therefore that no compensation should be awarded the widow. Such defense is authorized by the Code, section 6861.

Patterson was an automobile salesman, and at the time of his death was driving a new…