Employers Commercial Union Insurance Group v. Christ

CONNOR, Justice.

This is a workmen’s compensation case in which we are called upon to interpret the statutes pertaining to the second injury fund. The question is whether the absence of an arm is such a pre-existing physical impairment as to entitle the employer, as a matter of law, to reimbursement from the fund.

James Christ lost his arm by amputation in 1937 when he was 20-years old. In 1961 he commenced his employment with the State of Alaska, Division of Lands. On October 12, 1968, while so employed, he was injured in a motor vehicle accident, suffering lacerations of the head and face,…