Dowdell v. Vermont American Corp.

Mary Dowdell ("the employee") was injured in the line and scope of her employment with Vermont American Corporation ("the employer") when the tip of her right index finger was severed after it was caught in the tip of a malfunctioning machine. The employee sued the employer, seeking benefits under the Workers' Compensation Act ("the Act"). The employer and the employee each filed a summary-judgment motion; the employer contended that the employee was entitled to an award under the Act consistent with a 20% loss to an index finger (approximately $1,892), whereas the employee contended that she…