{ "id": 2736605, "name": "Jewell O. SMITH, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. STATE of New Mexico, Defendant-Employer, and Mountain States Mutual Casualty Company, Defendant-Insurer, Defendants-Appellees", "name_abbreviation": "Smith v. State", "decision_date": "1968-03-15", "docket_number": "No. 96", "first_page": "25", "last_page": "28", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "79 N.M. 25" }, { "type": "parallel", "cite": "439 P.2d 242" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.M. Ct. App.", "id": 9025, "name": "Court of Appeals of New Mexico" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 52, "name_long": "New Mexico", "name": "N.M." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "77 N.M. 100", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2804642 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1966, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/77/0100-01" ] }, { "cite": "44 N.M. 567", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1566833 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1940, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/44/0567-01" ] }, { "cite": "59 N.M. 328", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1589265 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1955, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/59/0328-01" ] }, { "cite": "73 N.M. 232", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 5321411 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1963, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/73/0232-01" ] }, { "cite": "73 N.M. 470", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 5321994 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1964, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/73/0470-01" ] }, { "cite": "74 N.M. 211", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2797437 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1964, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/74/0211-01" ] }, { "cite": "67 N.M. 156", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2715469 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1960, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/67/0156-01" ] }, { "cite": "70 N.M. 34", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2853358 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1962, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/70/0034-01" ] }, { "cite": "74 N.M. 112", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2802104 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1964, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/74/0112-01" ] }, { "cite": "76 N.M. 225", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 8501379 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1966, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/76/0225-01" ] }, { "cite": "74 N.M. 73", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2800260 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1964, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/74/0073-01" ] }, { "cite": "78 N.M. 491", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 5321725 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/78/0491-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 551, "char_count": 9026, "ocr_confidence": 0.644, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.2805655907460053e-07, "percentile": 0.617373059201521 }, "sha256": "5d4bd9c4a3452c00d7b6f98835e09da5d777f6f1ea1f27ed12c8fbb19c03a5c7", "simhash": "1:2584c1ab69528d01", "word_count": 1556 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T18:21:18.946358+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "SPIESS, C. J., and WOOD, J., concur." ], "parties": [ "Jewell O. SMITH, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. STATE of New Mexico, Defendant-Employer, and Mountain States Mutual Casualty Company, Defendant-Insurer, Defendants-Appellees." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "OPINION\nOMAN, Judge.\nPlaintiff sought benefits under the New Mexico Workmen\u2019s Compensation Act (\u00a7\u00a7 59-10-1 through 59-10-37, N.M.S.A.1953). She appeals from a summary judgment entered in favor of defendants.\nSince we are of the opinion that the issue of notice is determinative of the appeal, we confine ourselves to the facts and the law pertinent to this issue. We do so fully realizing that a summary judgment can properly be entered only when it is determined that the movant is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law, and that in making this determination the pleadings, depositions, affidavits and other matters presented and considered by the trial court must be viewed in the most favorable aspect they will bear, including all reasonable inferences deducible therefrom, in support of the right to trial on the issues. Simon v. Wilson, 78 N.M. 491, 432 P.2d 847 (Ct.App.1967). See also Scott v. General Equipment Co., 74 N.M. 73, 390 P.2d 660 (1964).\nPlaintiff was employed by the Los Lunas Hospital and Training School of New Mexico, which will hereinafter be referred to as defendant. She went to work for defendant on February 10, 1960. In 1962 she sustained an accidental injury to a finger while on the job. She prepared and filed a written report of this accident and injury on a form furnished by defendant. Report forms were at all times available for the use of employees in the cottage where plaintiff worked. All employees had been instructed to use and complete these forms upon sustaining an accident or injury.\nOn April 20, 1966, a small blister developed on plaintiff\u2019s left foot while she was at work. At the end of her work that day she was sitting with her shoe off when a fellow-employee, and also later one of her supervisors, came into the room. Each asked her \u201cwhat the trouble was.\u201d She told them she had developed a small blister while working, and she showed them the blister.\nAt that time she did not realize the \u201cblister was or could become disabling, and consequently continued to work every shift thereafter without making a * * * written report.\u201d In fact, she stated she paid \u201cno attention\u201d to the blister and \u201cnever thought anything about it.\u201d She did not make out a report \u201cbecause it was such a little thing,\u201d and because she \u201cdidn\u2019t think it amounted to anything.\u201d She continued to work until May 22, 1966.\nShe first consulted a doctor on April 22, about an infection in her big toe resulting from the blister. She consulted another doctor about this infection on May 4, 5, 6, 7 and 12, and a third doctor on May 18. These doctors were selected, employed and consulted by plaintiff, without suggestion or knowledge on the part of defendant. She says she first realized on May 20 that she was suffering from a disabling injury. As already stated, her last day of work was May 22.\nOn about May 8, plaintiffs immediate supervisor noted that plaintiff had cut away a portion of her shoe. Plaintiff explained that she had done so because her foot was hurting, but she did not say why her foot was hurting and made no mention of any accident having been sustained or injury having occurred as a result of her employment.\nThe director of the cottage life, or cottage organization, also knew plaintiff had a sore foot, but he had no knowledge of what caused it and had received no report that she had sustained an accident or an injury while on the job.\nThe cottage coordinator, who was in charge of employee time records, and whose duties included investigation of reports of accidents and injuries to employees, first became aware that plaintiff was suffering with her foot shortly before May 22, when she mentioned her foot was hurting. A few days later she advised him that her foot was still hurting, that she had gone to a doctor, and that she was going to need some time off. She then came in and picked up her check on May 22, and advised that her foot was getting worse. She was asked to keep the coordinator informed as to how she was feeling. She did telephone several times and stated she was not getting any better.\nShe was hospitalized on June 17, and remained in the hospital for thirty-three days, during which time, because of the infection, her leg was amputated midway between the knee and thigh.\nSome time in August she furnished defendant with a written report in which she \u2022stated she first noticed the infection on April 21; that on April 22, the infection was worse and she went to a doctor \u201cfor a shot\u201d; that thereafter she went to other doctors for several shots; that she was finally hospitalized on June 17; and that her leg was removed on July 12. She also stated in her report that when she first noticed the infection she considered filing a report, but she \u201cthought it would clear xtp so [she] neglected to do so.\u201d\nNo claim is made by her that she gave notice within the time required by \u00a7 59 \u2014 10\u2014 13.4(A), N.M.S.A.1953, which provides:\n\u201cA. Any workman claiming to be entitled to compensation from any employer shall give notice in writing to his \u25a0employer of the accident and of the injury within thirty [30] days after their occurrence; unless, by reason of his injury or some other cattse beyond his control the workman is prevented from giving notice within that time, in which case he shall give notice as soon as may reasonably be done, and at all events not later than sixty [60] days after the oc\u2022currence of the accident.\u201d\nIt is apparent that she is unable to bring herself within the sixty-day maximum notice period, no matter how liberally in her favor the facts are viewed, and no matter how liberally this section of our statutes is construed. She unquestionably had knowledge of the accident, if there was an \u2022accident, and of the resulting injury no later than May 22, the last day she worked. See Michael v. Bauman, 76 N.M. 225, 413 P.2d 888 (1966); Sanchez v. James H. Rhodes & Co., 74 N.M. 112, 391 P.2d 336 (1964); Langley v. Navajo Freight Lines, Inc., 70 N.M. 34, 369 P.2d 774 (1962); Montell v. Orndorff, 67 N.M. 156, 353 P.2d 680 (1960). We do not mean to suggest that under the facts of this case the time for giving notice did not commence running until she was unable to perform the \u2022duties of her employment. We need not and do not decide this question, because, \u00abven accepting May 22 as the date when the time within which to give notice began running, her written notice was still untimely.\nProvision is made by our statutes for dispensing with written notice, as required by \u00a7 59-10-13.4(A), N.M.S.A.1953, above quoted. The condition under which such written notice is not required is set forth in \u00a7 59-10-13.4(B), N.M.S.A.1953, which provides :\n\u201cB. No written notice is required to be given where the employer or any superintendent or foreman or other agent in charge of the work in connection with which the accident occurred had actual knowledge of its occurrence.\u201d\nTo constitute \u201cactual knowledge\u201d, which will excuse the giving of \u201cnotice in writing,\u201d there must be knowledge on the part of the employer, or a superintendent, foreman, or other agent in charge of the work in connection with which the accident occurred, that an accident has occurred, and this must be accompanied by knowledge of a compensable injury. Baca v. Swift & Co., 74 N.M. 211, 392 P.2d 407 (1964) ; Wilson v. Navajo Freight Lines, Inc., 73 N.M. 470, 389 P.2d 594 (1964); Daulton v. Laughlin Brothers Drilling Co., 73 N.M. 232, 387 P.2d 336 (1963) ; Swallows v. City of Albuquerque, 59 N.M. 328, 284 P.2d 216 (1955) ; Ogletree v. Jones, 44 N.M. 567, 106 P.2d 302 (1940).\nThe most that can be said for the notice or knowledge which defendant had is that defendant did have notice that plaintiff had developed a blister on her foot while at work. There is nothing to evidence that defendant knew just what caused the blister, or that the subsequent infection and resulting disability were connected with this blister. The casual conversations concerning the existence and the time of development of the blister, and the subsequent casual conversations concerning the fact that her foot was hurting and that she had consulted a doctor or doctors, were not sufficient to charge defendant with knowledge of the occurrence of an accident and of a compensable injury resulting therefrom. See Simmons v. International Minerals & Chemical Corp., 77 N.M. 100, 419 P.2d 756 (1966) ; Sanchez v. James H. Rhodes & Co., supra; Scott v. General Equipment Co., supra; Wilson v. Navajo Freight Lines, Inc., supra; Daulton v. Laughlin Brothers Drilling Co., supra; Ogletree v. Jones, supra.\nThe summary judgment should be affirmed.\nIt is so ordered.\nSPIESS, C. J., and WOOD, J., concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "OMAN, Judge." } ], "attorneys": [ "Denis Cowper, Chavez & Cowpcr, Belen, for appellant.", "James A. Parker, Modrall, Seymour, Sperling, Rochl & Harris, Albuquerque, for appellees." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "439 P.2d 242\nJewell O. SMITH, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. STATE of New Mexico, Defendant-Employer, and Mountain States Mutual Casualty Company, Defendant-Insurer, Defendants-Appellees.\nNo. 96.\nCourt of Appeals of New Mexico.\nMarch 15, 1968.\nDenis Cowper, Chavez & Cowpcr, Belen, for appellant.\nJames A. Parker, Modrall, Seymour, Sperling, Rochl & Harris, Albuquerque, for appellees." }, "file_name": "0025-01", "first_page_order": 57, "last_page_order": 60 }