{
  "id": 11147150,
  "name": "RAQUEL VALLES DE PORTILLO, GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR CARLOS ISAAC PORTILLO VALLES, MINOR AND ZAIDA VIVER, GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR DOMINIQUE L. VIVER, MINOR AND JAZMIN M. VIVER, MINOR CHILDREN OF JUAN PORTILLO RIVAS (DECEASED), Plaintiffs v. D.H. GRIFFIN WRECKING CO., INC., Employer, and CIGNA PROPERTY & CASUALTY CO., Carrier, Defendants",
  "name_abbreviation": "de Portillo v. D.H. Griffin Wrecking Co.",
  "decision_date": "1999-09-07",
  "docket_number": "No. COA98-869",
  "first_page": "714",
  "last_page": "718",
  "citations": [
    {
      "type": "official",
      "cite": "134 N.C. App. 714"
    }
  ],
  "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": "N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 97-88",
      "category": "laws:leg_statute",
      "reporter": "N.C. Gen. Stat.",
      "year": 1991,
      "opinion_index": 0
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    {
      "cite": "N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 97-18",
      "category": "laws:leg_statute",
      "reporter": "N.C. Gen. Stat.",
      "year": 1998,
      "pin_cites": [
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    {
      "cite": "324 S.E.2d 829",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "S.E.2d",
      "year": 1985,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "833"
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      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "312 N.C. 770",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "N.C.",
      "case_ids": [
        4755941
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      "year": 1985,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "777"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/nc/312/0770-01"
      ]
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    {
      "cite": "N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 97-48",
      "category": "laws:leg_statute",
      "reporter": "N.C. Gen. Stat.",
      "weight": 4,
      "year": 1991,
      "pin_cites": [
        {
          "page": "(a)",
          "parenthetical": "emphasis added"
        }
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 97-49",
      "category": "laws:leg_statute",
      "reporter": "N.C. Gen. Stat.",
      "opinion_index": 0
    }
  ],
  "analysis": {
    "cardinality": 429,
    "char_count": 10028,
    "ocr_confidence": 0.764,
    "pagerank": {
      "raw": 2.0446031217563963e-07,
      "percentile": 0.7494602967200018
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    "sha256": "3b94ed3741639cbcd6c41a48aed7767de6bb5ba0ab06e92405461d08919ee97d",
    "simhash": "1:e433e3861c72dc1f",
    "word_count": 1614
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  "last_updated": "2023-07-14T15:28:46.713894+00:00",
  "provenance": {
    "date_added": "2019-08-29",
    "source": "Harvard",
    "batch": "2018"
  },
  "casebody": {
    "judges": [
      "Judges MARTIN and HUNTER concur."
    ],
    "parties": [
      "RAQUEL VALLES DE PORTILLO, GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR CARLOS ISAAC PORTILLO VALLES, MINOR AND ZAIDA VIVER, GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR DOMINIQUE L. VIVER, MINOR AND JAZMIN M. VIVER, MINOR CHILDREN OF JUAN PORTILLO RIVAS (DECEASED), Plaintiffs v. D.H. GRIFFIN WRECKING CO., INC., Employer, and CIGNA PROPERTY & CASUALTY CO., Carrier, Defendants"
    ],
    "opinions": [
      {
        "text": "TIMMONS-GOODSON, Judge.\nThis appeal presents an issue of first impression in this State: whether the Industrial Commission may order that death benefits payable to a minor child in the custody of a natural parent be paid to the minor child \u201cthrough a general guardian or some other person as appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction.\u201d We conclude that a general guardian is not a proper recipient of death benefits due a minor child in the custody of a natural parent. However, the Commission may order that such payments be made through \u201csome other person as appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction.\u201d Therefore, we modify and affirm.\nJuan Portillo-Rivas (\u201cdecedent\u201d) died on 18 January 1995 as a result of a compensable injury suffered while cutting down a steel sign pole which struck him. A claim for death benefits pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes section 97-38 (1991) was made on behalf of decedent\u2019s three alleged, illegitimate minor children: Carlos Isaac Portillo Valles (\u201cCarlos\u201d); Dominique L. Viver (\u201cDominique\u201d); and Jazmin M. Viver (\u201cJazmin\u201d) (collectively, \u201cplaintiffs\u201d). Carlos\u2019 mother, Raquel Valles de Portillo, filed the action as his guardian ad litem. The mother of Dominique and Jazmin, Zaida Viver (\u201cViver\u201d), served as their guardian ad litem.\nBy Agreement of Final Settlement and Release (\u201cAgreement\u201d), D.H. Griffin Wrecking Company, Inc. and Cigna Property & Casualty Company (collectively, \u201cdefendants\u201d) agreed to pay $112.27 per week on behalf of two of decedent\u2019s three illegitimate children, Jazmin and Carlos, until they reached the age of 18. Deputy Commissioner Edward Gamer, Jr. entered an order approving the agreement. Neither the Order of the Deputy Commissioner nor the Agreement specifically addressed the issue of who was to be the proper recipient of benefits paid on behalf of Jazmin and Carlos. Because of this omission, defendants refused to pay benefits to Jazmin and Carlos until a guardian was appointed. Plaintiffs subsequently filed motions with the Executive Secretary to order defendants to pay pursuant to the Agreement. Plaintiffs also requested penalties and attorneys\u2019 fees.\nOn 21 January 1997, the Executive Secretary entered an order directing defendants to pay benefits to Jazmin and Carlos through a general guardian. The Order cited Industrial Commission Rule 604, which provides that compensation payable to a minor child shall not be paid directly to the guardian ad litem. Instead, the Executive Secretary ordered that compensation be paid pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes sections 97-48 and 97-49.\nDefendants began paying benefits on behalf of Carlos through his general guardian. Defendants did not make any payments on behalf of Jazmin for whom no general guardian had been appointed. Jazmin was in the custody of a natural parent, her mother. Counsel for Jazmin appealed to the Industrial Commission.\nOn 20 April 1998, the Commission held that \u201cthe interest of all parties would be best protected by an order providing that payments shall be made only to the general guardian or to some other proper person as appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction.\u201d Counsel for Jazmin appeals the Commission\u2019s order.\nPlaintiff argues that the Commission erred in ordering the appointment of \u201ca general guardian or some other person as appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction\u201d as the proper recipient of the benefits paid on behalf of Jazmin. Specifically, plaintiff argues that a mother is the natural guardian of a minor, therefore, a Clerk of Superior Court lacks the authority to appoint a guardian for a minor.\nPursuant to Rule 604(1) of the Workers\u2019 Compensation Rules of the North Carolina Industrial Commission, minors are allowed to file suit through a guardian ad litem. However, under Rule 604(2), in no event shall any compensation be paid directly to the guardian ad litem. Instead, Rule 604(2) provides that \u201ccompensation payable to a minor or incompetent shall be paid as provided in N.C.Gen Stat. \u00a7 97-48 and N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 97-49.\u201d\nNorth Carolina General Statutes section 97-48 states in pertinent part that compensation relieving the employer of any liability may be paid \u201cto a widow or widower for her or his use, or for her or his use and the use of the child or children.\u201d N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 97-48(a) (1991) (emphasis added). Once the compensation is paid to the widower or widow, his or her written receipt thereof shall acquit the employer. Id. However, the Industrial Commission may change the terms of any award \u201cwith respect to whom compensation for the benefit of such minors or incompetents shall be paid\u201d in order to protect the interests of such minors and incompetents. Id.\nIn the case sub judice, Viver acted as Jazmin\u2019s guardian ad litem. Therefore, under Rule 604(2), Viver is precluded from receiving payments on behalf of Jazmin. Similarly, Viver is not the decedent\u2019s widow for purposes of North Carolina General Statute section 97-48. Therefore, payment of compensation to her would not acquit the employer of liability for compensation owed. N.C.G.S. \u00a7 97-48(a) (1991).\nThe Commission, in its discretion, had the authority to change the terms of the award and order that it would be in the best interest of the child for Viver to receive death benefit payments on Jazmin\u2019s behalf. However, the Commission chose not to do so and ordered the appointment of a general guardian or some other person as appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction.\nWe agree with plaintiff that a Clerk of Superior Court may not appoint a \u201cgeneral guardian\u201d for a minor if a natural guardian, such as a biological mother, exists. N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 35A-1224(a) (1995). However, the General Statutes hold that a Clerk of Superior Court may appoint \u201csome other proper person\u201d for Jazmin, which may include a guardian of the estate. See N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 35A-1224(a) (1995). A guardian of the estate is intrusted with the control of a minor\u2019s property. N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 35A-1202(9) (Cum. Supp. 1998). However, a guardian of an estate does not limit in any way or diminish the parental rights of a parent or natural guardian. Id. Jazmin clearly has an estate consisting of death benefits under the Workers Compensation Act.\nOur scope of review of the Commission\u2019s discretionary order granting or denying relief is extremely limited. Such an order may be reversed on appeal only in those exceptional cases in which manifest abuse of discretion is clearly demonstrated from the record. White v. White, 312 N.C. 770, 777, 324 S.E.2d 829, 833 (1985). We have already concluded that the evidence of the apparent conflicts between Chapter 35 and North Carolina General Satutes section 97-48 was adequate to support the Commission\u2019s conclusion. We find no abuse of discretion by the Commission in ordering the appointment of some other person as appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction to receive benefits on behalf of Jazmin.\nFor the reasons stated, we modify the Commission\u2019s order by vacating that portion providing that defendant pay death benefits on Jazmin\u2019s behalf through \u201ca general guardian\u201d and affirm that portion of the order providing that such benefits be paid \u201cthrough some other proper person as appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction.\u201d\nFinally, plaintiff requested that the Full Commission impose sanctions and attorney\u2019s fees on defendants based on their refusal to make payments to the guardian ad litem for Jazmin. Sanctions may be assessed if payment of compensation is not timely made \u201cunless such nonpayment is excused by the Commission after a showing by the employer that owing to conditions over which he had no control such installment could not be paid within the period prescribed for the payment.\u201d N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 97-18(g) (Cum. Supp. 1998). In the present case, nonpayment was excused by the Commission because the Executive Secretary ordered that payments be made only to a general guardian, a mandate with which defendant could not comply.\nAttorney\u2019s fees may be awarded where there has been an appeal \u201cbrought by the insurer.\u201d N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 97-88 (1991). In the case sub judice, the appeal was brought by plaintiff. Therefore, we conclude that the Industrial Commission did not abuse its discretion when it refused to assess sanctions and attorney\u2019s fees against defendants.\nMODIFIED AND AFFIRMED.\nJudges MARTIN and HUNTER concur.",
        "type": "majority",
        "author": "TIMMONS-GOODSON, Judge."
      }
    ],
    "attorneys": [
      "Law Offices of Kathleen G. Sumner, by Kathleen G. Sumner, for plaintiff-appellant Zaida Viver.",
      "Teague, Campbell, Dennis & Gorham, L.L.P., by Thomas M. Clare, for defendants-appellees."
    ],
    "corrections": "",
    "head_matter": "RAQUEL VALLES DE PORTILLO, GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR CARLOS ISAAC PORTILLO VALLES, MINOR AND ZAIDA VIVER, GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR DOMINIQUE L. VIVER, MINOR AND JAZMIN M. VIVER, MINOR CHILDREN OF JUAN PORTILLO RIVAS (DECEASED), Plaintiffs v. D.H. GRIFFIN WRECKING CO., INC., Employer, and CIGNA PROPERTY & CASUALTY CO., Carrier, Defendants\nNo. COA98-869\n(Filed 7 September 1999)\n1. Workers\u2019 Compensation\u2014 death benefits \u2014 natural parent \u2014 general guardian \u2014 appointed person\nThe Industrial Commission erred by holding that death benefits payable to a minor child in the custody of a natural parent can be made through a general guardian, but the Commission properly determined that such payments can be made through some other person as appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction.\n2. Workers\u2019 Compensation\u2014 sanctions and attorney fees\u2014 nonpayment excused \u2014 appeal brought by insurer\nThe Industrial Commission did not abuse its discretion when it refused to assess sanctions and attorney fees against defendants for refusal to make death benefit payments to the child\u2019s guardian ad litem mother because the Executive Secretary ordered payments could only be made to a general guardian, a mandate with which defendant could not comply, and the appeal was brought by plaintiff instead of the insurer.\nAppeal by plaintiff from opinion and award entered 20 April 1998 by the North Carolina Industrial Commission. Heard in the Court of Appeals 17 March 1999.\nLaw Offices of Kathleen G. Sumner, by Kathleen G. Sumner, for plaintiff-appellant Zaida Viver.\nTeague, Campbell, Dennis & Gorham, L.L.P., by Thomas M. Clare, for defendants-appellees."
  },
  "file_name": "0714-01",
  "first_page_order": 746,
  "last_page_order": 750
}
