Geneva Brooks v. General Motors Assembly

The defendant has appealed from the judgment of the circuit court affirming the award of the Industrial Commission in which
it was determined that Geneva Brooks, the plaintiff, had suffered an injury to her back in an accident arising out of and
in the course of her employment. This resulted in permanent total disability. For this, she was to receive the sum of $58.00
per week for 300 weeks, and thereafter, for life, as a pension, $40.00 per week; or a total sum of $17,400.00 plus pension.
In addition, medical aid not furnished by the employer was awarded to her in the sum of $3,778.13. Defendant has appealed, contending that the evidence presented was overwhelmingly in favor of the defendant and that it did
not sustain the finding of accident, the finding of injury arising out of the accident, and the finding of permanent total
disability. Plaintiff, on the other hand, contends that the award of the Commission and the judgment of the circuit court
was supported by evidence totally favorable to the employee and susceptible of but one construction. She further contends
that since there was no justiciable controversy on appeal, the appeal is spurious and vexatious and an appropriate penalty
should be imposed.