{ "id": 8527769, "name": "ROXIE KEEL v. H & V INCORPORATED d/b/a ACE ONE HOUR CLEANING", "name_abbreviation": "Keel v. H & V Inc.", "decision_date": "1992-10-06", "docket_number": "No. 9110IC770", "first_page": "536", "last_page": "543", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "107 N.C. App. 536" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C. Ct. App.", "id": 14983, "name": "North Carolina Court of Appeals" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "17 ALR3d 993", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R. 3d", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "316 S.E.2d 86", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1984, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "87" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "68 N.C. App. 783", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8527996 ], "year": 1984, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "785" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/68/0783-01" ] }, { "cite": "4 S.E.2d 894", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1939, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "897" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "216 N.C. 306", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8599632 ], "year": 1939, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "311" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/216/0306-01" ] }, { "cite": "353 S.E.2d 106", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "319 N.C. 103", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4743692, 4740912, 4746258, 4740023, 4740696 ], "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/319/0103-04", "/nc/319/0103-02", "/nc/319/0103-03", "/nc/319/0103-01", "/nc/319/0103-05" ] }, { "cite": "348 S.E.2d 596", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1986, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "600" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "83 N.C. App. 14", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8357914 ], "year": 1986, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "20" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/83/0014-01" ] }, { "cite": "259 S.E.2d 914", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1979, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "298 N.C. 298", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8571139, 8571075, 8571173, 8571107, 8571195 ], "year": 1979, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/298/0298-03", "/nc/298/0298-01", "/nc/298/0298-04", "/nc/298/0298-02", "/nc/298/0298-05" ] }, { "cite": "254 S.E.2d 236", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 3, "year": 1979, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "238" }, { "page": "238" }, { "page": "238" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "41 N.C. App. 127", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8548021 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1979, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "130" }, { "page": "130" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/41/0127-01" ] }, { "cite": "303 S.E.2d 795", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1983, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "797" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "308 N.C. 665", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4705893 ], "year": 1983, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "668" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/308/0665-01" ] }, { "cite": "331 S.E.2d 646", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1985, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "649" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "314 N.C. 70", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4689159 ], "year": 1985, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "74" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/314/0070-01" ] }, { "cite": "283 S.E.2d 101", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1981, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "106", "parenthetical": "where the claimant has non-occupational infirmities, the Commission should consider whether the occupation accelerated or aggravated the condition and contributed to claimant's disablement." }, { "page": "106-07" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "304 N.C. 44", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8565283 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1981, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "53", "parenthetical": "where the claimant has non-occupational infirmities, the Commission should consider whether the occupation accelerated or aggravated the condition and contributed to claimant's disablement." }, { "page": "54" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/304/0044-01" ] }, { "cite": "301 S.E.2d 359", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 6, "year": 1983, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "369-70" }, { "page": "370" }, { "page": "370" }, { "page": "362" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "308 N.C. 85", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4707972 ], "weight": 4, "year": 1983, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "101" }, { "page": "102" }, { "page": "105" }, { "page": "89" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/308/0085-01" ] }, { "cite": "339 S.E.2d 490", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 6, "year": 1986, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "494", "parenthetical": "citing Rutledge v. Tultex Corp., 308 N.C. 85, 101, 301 S.E.2d 359, 369-70 (1983)" }, { "page": "491" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "79 N.C. App. 324", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8520586 ], "weight": 4, "year": 1986, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "330", "parenthetical": "citing Rutledge v. Tultex Corp., 308 N.C. 85, 101, 301 S.E.2d 359, 369-70 (1983)" }, { "page": "330-31" }, { "page": "325" }, { "page": "333-34" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/79/0324-01" ] }, { "cite": "256 S.E.2d 189", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 3, "year": 1979, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "194" }, { "page": "200" }, { "page": "202", "parenthetical": "citation omitted" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "297 N.C. 458", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8571831 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1979, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "465" }, { "page": "476" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/297/0458-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 857, "char_count": 17084, "ocr_confidence": 0.76, "pagerank": { "raw": 3.720145084639492e-07, "percentile": 0.8938136933852128 }, "sha256": "3afd054b42e64157a59980add9b5b7c601c13afbbf2dfc0ed6f28011d5c89dec", "simhash": "1:7231d59b641d285e", "word_count": 2646 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T14:52:31.872261+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "Chief Judge Hedrick and Judge Wynn concur." ], "parties": [ "ROXIE KEEL v. H & V INCORPORATED d/b/a ACE ONE HOUR CLEANING" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "LEWIS, Judge.\nThe evidence before the Commission tended to establish the following:\nPlaintiff-employee, Roxie Keel, is a 42 year old woman (she was 36 years old at the time of initial diagnosis) with a tenth grade education who worked for defendant dry cleaner from October 1985 until June 1986. For the first three months, plaintiff washed, pressed and removed spots. In January 1986 she began operating a dry-cleaning machine. During the required maintenance of the machine, plaintiff was regularly exposed to perchloroethylene (PCE), a chemical component of the dry-cleaning solution, while cleaning the filters. Plaintiff contended that contact with the fumes of the dry-cleaning solution caused eye irritation and tears, dizziness, perspiration, coughing and later, shortness of breath. The fumes were so strong that on occasion plaintiff was forced to sit down. By June 1986 plaintiff\u2019s shortness of breath became so pronounced that she left the job.\nPlaintiff was treated by her family physician until November 1986 when she was referred to a pulmonary specialist, Dr. Albert Driver. Dr. Driver diagnosed plaintiffs condition as interstitial pulmonary fibrosis which he attributed to her exposure to fumes in the workplace. An industrial hygienist, at Dr. Driver\u2019s request, tested defendant\u2019s dry-cleaning premises on 12 November 1986. He found airborne concentrations of PCE that were \u201conly 7\u00b0/o of the recommended exposure limits\u201d and determined that there were \u201cno recognized significant health hazards.\u201d The hygienist testified via deposition that the \u201c[potential health effects associated with perchloroethylene are basically irritation of the eyes and upper respiratory system, central nervous system depression, and possible liver/kidney damage.\u201d He stated that human studies revealed no response to seven hours continuous exposure to PCE in concentrations of 100 parts per million. The hygienist speculated that prior occupational exposure might have contributed to plaintiff\u2019s illness, though no evidence of such exposure was present.\nDr. Driver examined plaintiff and was unable to find signs of any causative agent except chemical exposure, nor were symptoms of other causative agents documented in plaintiff\u2019s old medical records. A chest x-ray taken in 1982 was \u201centirely normal.\u201d As a progressive disease, evidence of interstitial fibrosis would have shown up on x-ray or through other symptoms had the disease pre-dated plaintiff\u2019s employment with defendant. Dr. Driver specifically excluded plaintiff\u2019s history of smoking as a causative factor. He stated that plaintiff did not attribute her illness to work related chemical exposure, but named PCE in answer to specific questions regarding her exposure to chemical fumes in the workplace.\nDue to the strong \u201ccircumstantial or . .. chronological] association\u201d between the evolution of plaintiff\u2019s symptoms and her employment, Dr. Driver testified: \u201cthere\u2019s a reasonable certainty in my mind that the occupational exposure to fumes in the work place were significant factors in the development of interstitial fibrosis.\u201d Dr. Driver pointed to three case reports in the literature which, though not linking PCE to interstitial fibrosis, did report studies \u201cwhere these solvents ha[d] been injurious to the lungs and, I, I see no reasons why these chemicals could not have affected this particular patient.\u201d As plaintiff has experienced minimal improvement in her condition, Dr. Driver testified that plaintiff is \u201calmost totally impaired\u201d and is unable to \u201cperform any physical exertion.\u201d\nPrior to her employment with defendant, plaintiff had held various jobs including four and one-half years in the dry cleaning industry, but had never operated a dry cleaning machine and had never encountered significant respiratory problems. Plaintiff is unable to perform her former jobs or any other job which would require physical exertion. She is without the education or the training to perform other types of work. Plaintiff has been unemployed since leaving defendant\u2019s business in June of 1986.\n\u201cFor an injury or death to be compensable under our Workmen\u2019s [now Workers\u2019] Compensation Act it must be either the result of an \u2018accident arising out of and in the course of the employment\u2019 or an \u2018occupational disease.\u2019 \u201d Booker v. Duke Medical Center, 297 N.C. 458, 465, 256 S.E.2d 189, 194 (1979). \u201cA disease is an occupational disease compensable under N.C. Gen. Stat. 97-53(13) if claimant\u2019s employment exposed him \u201cto a greater risk of contracting this disease than members of the public generally, . . .\u201d and such exposure \u201csignificantly contributed to, or was a significant causal factor in, the disease\u2019s development.\u201d Gay v. J. P. Stevens & Co. Inc., 79 N.C. App. 324, 330, 339 S.E.2d 490, 494 (1986) (citing Rutledge v. Tultex Corp., 308 N.C. 85, 101, 301 S.E.2d 359, 369-70 (1983)). Workplace exposure is a significant factor if without the exposure \u201cthe disease would not have developed to such an extent that it caused the physical disability which resulted in claimant\u2019s incapacity for work.\u201d Id. (citing Rutledge, 308 N.C. at 102, 301 S.E.2d at 370). The significance of exposure may be determined by medical evidence as well as \u201c(1) the nature and extent of claimant\u2019s occupational exposure, (2) the presence or absence of other non-work-related exposures and components which contributed to the disease\u2019s development, and (3) correlations between claimant\u2019s work history and the development of the disease.\u201d Id. at 331, 339 S.E.2d at 494 (citing Rutledge, 308 N.C. at 105, 301 S.E.2d at 370). Claimant has the burden of proof, but, \u201cif the occupational exposure in question is such that it augments the disease process to any degree, however slight, the employer is liable.\u201d Id. (citing Rutledge, 308 N.C. at 89, 301 S.E.2d at 362); see also, Hansel v. Sherman Textiles, 304 N.C. 44, 53, 283 S.E.2d 101, 106 (1981) (where the claimant has non-occupational infirmities, the Commission should consider whether the occupation accelerated or aggravated the condition and contributed to claimant\u2019s disablement.) \u201cIn addition, the substance to which plaintiff was last injuriously exposed need not be in a substance known to cause the disease.\u201d Gay, 79 N.C. App. at 330-31, 339 S.E.2d at 494 (citing Caulder v. Waverly Mills, 314 N.C. 70, 74, 331 S.E.2d 646, 649 (1985)).\n\u201cWhere the Commission awards compensation for disablement due to an occupational disease encompassed by G.S. 97-53(13), the opinion and award must contain findings as to the characteristics, symptoms and manifestations of the disease from which the plaintiff suffers, as well as a conclusion of law as to whether the disease falls within the statutory provision.\u201d Hansel, 304 N.C. at 54, 283 S.E.2d at 106-07. Review of Industrial Commission decisions is limited to a determination of \u201c \u2018whether there was competent evidence before the Commission to support its findings and . . . whether such findings support its legal conclusions.\u2019 (Citation omitted.) This Court cannot substitute its judgment for that of the Commission.\u201d Gay, 79 N.C. App. at 325, 339 S.E.2d at 491. Findings of fact, when supported by competent evidence, are conclusive on appeal. Id.\nDefendant contends that the Commission erred in two respects. First, defendant argues that the evidence was insufficient to support the Commission\u2019s findings of fact and conclusions of law because the only evidence presented on causation was that of a single physician whose \u201copinion was grounded in speculation and not in medical facts.\u201d Defendant asserts that Dr. Driver\u2019s opinion on causation was based upon faulty information because he (1) did not know the quantity or quality of plaintiff\u2019s exposure to PCE, (2) assumed that plaintiff had been employed with defendant since September 1984, instead of November 1985, (3) failed to consider the material fact that plaintiff had previously worked in the cleaning industry, (4) based determination of causation in part on plaintiff\u2019s assertion that PCE contributed to her illness, (5) lacked experience in treating other patients with PCE lung injuries, and (6) relied upon a research of the literature to attribute PCE exposure to interstitial fibrosis. Also, defendant contends that in light of the hygienist\u2019s findings of low concentrations of airborne PCE at Ace Dry Cleaning premises, causation is attenuated at best.\nWe disagree. Circumstantial evidence of the causal connection between the occupation and the disease is sufficient. Booker, 297 N.C. at 476, 256 S.E.2d at 200. Medical opinions given may be based either on \u201c \u2018personal knowledge or observation or on information supplied him by others, including the patient. . . .\u2019\u201d Id. at 479, 256 S.E.2d at 202 (citation omitted). Absolute medical certainty is not required.\nDefendant correctly asserts that there are no findings of fact with regard to the quantity of PCE at defendant\u2019s dry-cleaning establishment. Our Supreme Court rejected the requirement that an employee quantify the degree of exposure to the harmful agent during his employment. Gay, 79 N.C. App. at 333-34, 339 S.E.2d at 495-96 (citing McCuiston v. Addressograph-Multigraph Corp., 308 N.C. 665, 668, 303 S.E.2d 795, 797 (1983)). Any evaluation of the workplace for the agent in question after claimant\u2019s departure, as here, would not quantify claimant\u2019s exposure, but would merely \u201cguesstimate\u201d it. Since the degree of exposure does not need to be measured during claimant\u2019s employment, it should not need to be quantified in findings of fact, either. The evidence reveals that Dr. Driver\u2019s medical opinion was based upon personal examination and testing of plaintiff and an assessment of the circumstantial evidence surrounding the onset and development of the disease as well as the articles on solvent-induced lung injury. We find that Dr. Driver\u2019s medical opinion is sufficient evidence to support the Commission\u2019s finding of fact that plaintiff suffered from an occupational disease.\nSecond, defendant contends that the Commission erred in excluding additional evidence which it had solicited sua sponte. Upon defendant\u2019s appeal of the deputy commissioner\u2019s award, the Full Commission issued an order, filed 7 February 1990, which required plaintiff to submit to examination by a Dr. Kunstling.\nBy letter dated 17 January 1991, the Commission informed defendant\u2019s counsel that the 7 February 1990 order \u201cset out the procedure in unmistakable terms. It was not a request to negotiate the composition of the record. It offered both parties the opportunity to depose the doctor within a specified period, and neither did.\u201d The letter indicated that the Commission believed the February order reopening the evidence was \u201cimprovidently entered\u201d and that the appeal should be decided \u201con the record as the parties made it, with full opportunity to present any pertinent evidence, at the hearing before the Deputy Commissioner.\u201d\nAgain, we disagree with defendant\u2019s argument. The statute controlling the receipt of additional evidence on appeal provides:\n[i]f application is made to the Commission within 15 days from the date when notice of the award shall have been given, the full Commission shall review the award, and if good ground be shown therefor, reconsider the evidence, receive further evidence, rehear the parties or their representatives, and if proper, amend the award.\nN.C.G.S. \u00a7 97-85 (1991) (emphasis added). The powers granted the Commission to review the award and to receive additional evidence are \u201cplenary powers to be exercised in the sound discretion of the Commission.\u201d Lynch v. M.B. Kahn Constr. Co., 41 N.C. App. 127, 130, 254 S.E.2d 236, 238, disc. rev. denied, 298 N.C. 298, 259 S.E.2d 914 (1979). Whether such good ground has been shown is discretionary and \u201cwill not be reviewed on appeal absent a showing of manifest abuse of discretion.\u201d Id. at 131, 254 S.E.2d at 238. \u201cIn exercising its discretion, the Commission is not directed to make specific findings of fact.\u201d Chisholm v. Diamond Condominium Constr. Co., 83 N.C. App. 14, 20, 348 S.E.2d 596, 600 (1986), disc. rev. denied, 319 N.C. 103, 353 S.E.2d 106 (1987).\nThe party against whom an award has been made does not have \u201ca substantive right to require the Full Commission to hear new or additional testimony. It may, and should, do so if the due administration of justice requires.\u201d Tindall v. American Furniture Co., 216 N.C. 306, 311, 4 S.E.2d 894, 897 (1939). Upon appeal from a deputy commissioner\u2019s award, the Commission may \u201creceive further evidence regardless of whether it was newly discovered evidence.\u201d Lynch, 41 N.C. App. at 130, 254 S.E.2d at 238. The deputy commissioner\u2019s findings of fact are not conclusive; only the Full Commission\u2019s findings of fact are conclusive. Hobgood v. Anchor Motor Freight, 68 N.C. App. 783, 785, 316 S.E.2d 86, 87 (1984). The Commission may \u201cweigh the evidence [presented to the deputy commissioner] and make its own determination as to the weight and credibility of the evidence.\u201d Id. The Commission may strike the deputy commissioner\u2019s findings of fact even if no exception was taken to the findings.\nFrom these legal principles, we determine that it was within the Commission\u2019s power to ask for additional evidence, here additional medical evidence. It follows that if it was within the Commission\u2019s discretion to ask for this evidence, it was also within its power to exclude such evidence. The defendant does not so state, but implies that it was misled by the Commission and, therefore, prejudiced in the process. Viewing the totality of the circumstances, we disagree with the implication. Here, both parties were able to present evidence to the deputy commissioner. The testimony included that of a physician, an industrial hygienist, one of the owners of defendant dry-cleaner, and plaintiff. Defendant could have presented an additional medical or expert opinion on causation to the deputy commissioner. Defendant did not do so and cannot now be heard to complain. See N.C.G.S. \u00a7 97-27(a) (1991). Defendant also had an opportunity to present additional evidence on appeal to the Full Commission if defendant were able to show good cause, but did not. We find that the Commission did not err when it chose not to consider Dr. Kunstling\u2019s response. Where the decision to take additional evidence is discretionary in nature and neither party has put forth good cause for such evidence to be considered, the Commission may decide to exclude evidence which it has previously seen fit to hear.\nAffirmed.\nChief Judge Hedrick and Judge Wynn concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "LEWIS, Judge." } ], "attorneys": [ "Taft, Taft & Haigler, by Robin E. Hudson, for plaintiff-appellee.", "Colombo, Kitchin & Johnson, by W. Walton Kitchin, Jr., for defendant-appellant." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "ROXIE KEEL v. H & V INCORPORATED d/b/a ACE ONE HOUR CLEANING\nNo. 9110IC770\n(Filed 6 October 1992)\n1. Master and Servant \u00a7 68 (NCI3d)\u2014 workers\u2019 compensation \u2014 plaintiff\u2019s exposure to fumes \u2014occupational disease \u2014physician\u2019s medical opinion \u2014sufficiency of evidence\nA physician\u2019s medical opinion was sufficient evidence to support the Industrial Commission\u2019s finding of fact that plaintiff suffered from an occupational disease where the evidence revealed that the physician\u2019s medical opinion was based upon personal examination and testing of plaintiff, an assessment of the circumstantial evidence surrounding the onset and development of the disease, and articles on solvent-induced lung injury; furthermore, the evidence was not insufficient because the physician did not know the quantity or quality of plaintiff\u2019s exposure to PCE while she worked for defendant cleaners, since the degree of exposure does not need to be measured during a claimant\u2019s employment, and any evaluation of the workplace for the agent in question after claimant\u2019s departure would not quantify claimant\u2019s exposure.\nAm Jur 2d, Workers\u2019 Compensation \u00a7 597.\nWorkmen\u2019s compensation: use of medical books or treatises as independent evidence. 17 ALR3d 993.\n2. Master and Servant \u00a7 93.2 (NCI3d)\u2014 workers\u2019 compensation \u2014 additional evidence taken by Commission \u2014 subsequent exclusion discretionary\nWhere the decision to take additional evidence is discretionary in nature and neither party has put forth good cause for such evidence to be considered, the Industrial Commission may decide to exclude evidence which it has previously seen fit to hear.\nAm Jur 2d, Workers\u2019 Compensation \u00a7 564.\nAppeal by defendant from Opinion and Award of the North Carolina Industrial Commission filed 20 December 1990. Heard in the Court of Appeals 26 August 1992.\nPlaintiff filed this workers\u2019 compensation claim on 5 March 1987, alleging an occupational disease caused by exposure to per-chloroethylene fumes emanating from the dry cleaning solution used in the workplace. The deputy commissioner determined that plaintiff\u2019s total disability was \u201cdue to causes and conditions which are characteristic of and peculiar to her particular trade, occupation or employment\u201d and awarded compensation under \u00a7 97-53(13). The Full Commission adopted the decision of the deputy commissioner. Defendant appeals. We affirm.\nTaft, Taft & Haigler, by Robin E. Hudson, for plaintiff-appellee.\nColombo, Kitchin & Johnson, by W. Walton Kitchin, Jr., for defendant-appellant." }, "file_name": "0536-01", "first_page_order": 564, "last_page_order": 571 }