Scown v. State Accident Insurance Fund

The sole issue in this workman’s compensation case is the extent of claimant’s permanent disability. Both the referee and the Workmen’s Compensation Board awarded him 160 degrees which is 50 percent of the maximum allowable for unscheduled permanent disability. The circuit court increased the award to permanent total disability. The Fund appeals, seeking reinstatement of the 50 percent award allowed by the referee and the Board.

Claimant was 57 years old at the time of hearing. He has an eighth grade education and is functionally illiterate. He has a full scale I.Q. of 85. With reference to…