Adkins V. Industrial Commission

This is an appeal by certiorari from an award of the Industrial Commission denying petitioner Ernest W. Adkins compensation for total permanent disability. Petitioner has a long history of industrial accidents of which the material facts are these: In 1947, petitioner sustained an injury diagnosed as sacroiliac strain. The Commission eventually determined a 15% general physical functional disability and a 20% loss of earning capacity. In 1959, petitioner while employed as a diesel mechanic and welder suffered another injury to his back and by decision of the Commission dated April 15, 1960, was awarded temporary disability benefits. Subsequently, a petition to reopen the award of 1960 was filed asserting that petitioner had "become disabled to continue any regular work due to the pain in the lower part of my back and my left leg and foot". The Commission made a determination that petitioner had new additional or previously undiscovered disability attributable to the 1959 injury. He was hospitalized and examined on a number of occasions by a medical consulting board and was also given psychiatric examination.