INDUSTRIAL COM'N OF COLO. ST. COMP. INS. F. v. Peterson

The presumption against suicide is strongly held in the law and the question of what evidence is necessary to overcome it is the crux of this action. In other words, did Virgil H. Peterson, a twenty-four year old filling station attendant, commit suicide or die of carbon monoxide poisoning involuntarily during and at his place of employment on November 6, 1960? Both the referee and the Industrial Commissioner found that Peterson had committed suicide. The district court reversed this finding and ordered an award to be made to the widow and children who are defendants in error here.

We believe…