Crawford v. Al Smith Plumbing & Heating Service, Inc.

I respectfully dissent.

Plaintiff, James D. Crawford, filed suit against his former employer, A1 Smith Plumbing & Heating Service, Inc., and its insurer, State Farm Fire & Casualty Company, to recover maximum workmen’s compensation benefits of $65 per week for a period of 500 weeks for a job-related accident that occurred on December 2, 1974 that left him totally and permanently disabled. In addition he sought penalties and attorney fees under R.S. 22:658 for the alleged arbitrary and capricious withholding of benefits.

After trial on the merits, the district court rendered judgment awarding…