Rector v. Department of Labor & Industries

The Department of Labor and Industries (the Department) appeals (1) from the Superior Court's decision to hear Herbert Rector's motion for reconsideration of the order of summary judgment originally entered in favor of the Department and (2) from the Superior Court's subsequent order for summary judgment in Rector's favor. We reverse.

In 1969 Herbert Rector worked as an ironworker who, in the course of his employment, fell four stories and struck the back of his head. Rector was unaware of any hearing loss resulting from that fall until early 1986, when he was told by Gordon Thomas, M.D., that…