Cavins v. State Accident Insurance Fund

The circuit court, reversing the Workmen’s Compensation Board and the hearing officer, concluded claimant’s ankle operation was a compensable consequence of his injury of September 21, 1972, but denied claimant attorney fees and penalties for alleged unreasonable delay in acceptance or denial of the claim. Claimant appeals only from the part of the order denying attorney fees, while, by cross-appeal, SAIF appeals from the circuit court order finding claimant’s injury to be compensable.

Claimant, a 47-year-old construction and shipyard worker, first injured the medial aspect (inner side) of his…