Gronquist v. State Accident Insurance Fund

The sole question in this workmen’s compensation case involves interpretation of the statutes governing the time limit for claims arising from the death of a workman due to an occupational disease.

Claimant’s husband, who had been an asbestos worker, died June 20, 1972. Upon learning that an autopsy report indicated that her husband died from lung disease caused by asbestos, claimant filed for benefits with her husband’s last employer on January 22, 1973. The referee and Workmen’s Compensation Board ruled that the claim was barred by the 180-day limitation period stated in ORS 656.807(2). On…