Island Creek Coal Co. v. Fletcher

The evidence in this case was presented to a hearing commissioner who concluded that claimant had sustained a total wage loss as a result of silicosis, an occupational disease contracted while in the company’s employ. Although he found that Fletcher had suffered partial physical disability, yet he determined that the partial physical disability resulting from the second stage silicosis had barred claimant from employment in the only field of labor in which he was trained and qualified to work. Claimant was awarded compensation benefits under § 65-51, Code 1950, as amended, because of total…