Mueller v. State Accident Insurance Fund

This workers’ compensation case presents two issues: (1) whether the claim was timely filed; and (2) whether claimant’s pulmonary emphysema was caused or aggravated by his employment.

Claimant, age 57, worked for employer from 1953 to 1972 as a trailer repairman. This job included welding, painting and repairing bodies of diesel truck trailers. The testimony of claimant and his foreman indicated that working conditions were extremely noxious. The work was done in enclosed areas with no ventilation. Frequently three or four workers would be welding inside a trailer filling it with fumes.…