Baskin v. State Ex Rel. Workers Comp‪.‬

This appeal is taken from the denial of a claim for workers compensation benefits. The significant question to be resolved is the constitutionality of the exception of "ranching or agriculture" from the extra-hazardous occupations of teaming and truck driving and motor delivery as defined in § 27-12-106(a)(xviii) and (xix), W.S. 1977. The constitutionality of § 27-12-102(a)(xvi), W.S. 1977, which permits an employer engaged in "power farming" to elect coverage under the Wyoming Workers Compensation Act also is raised as an issue. In addition Baskin questions whether his employment in fact was in agriculture or ranching so as to permit the invocation of the exceptions. The district court entered an order denying workers compensation benefits. We affirm that order and hold the statute is constitutional and was applied correctly in this case.