Cutright v. American Ship Dismantler

American Ship Dismantler, the employer, appealed successively from rulings of the hearing officer, Workmen’s Compensation Board, and circuit court, each of which found the employer liable for compensation benefits to claimant.

The issue is which of two compensation insurance carriers is responsible. The direct responsibility employer’s insurance carrier claims the State Accident Insurance Fund (SAIF), the former carrier for the employer, should be held responsible.

The sequence of events giving rise to the dispute is:

A compression fracture and degeneration in the claimant’s thoracic spine,…