Lineberry v. Town of Mebane

Barnhill, J. Claimant was born 7 July, 1921. He was injured 31 May, 1938. He was 18 years of age 7 July, 1939, and filed claim on 24 July, 1939. Thus it appears that the statement in the original opinion “that more than 12 months expired after claimant became 18 years of age before claim was filed” was due to a miscalculation of time. This being true, it becomes necessary to determine whether the limitation of time provided in the Workmen’s Compensation Act (sec. 24, ch. 120, Public Laws 1929) for filing claim thereunder is tolled in behalf of a person under 18 years of age who is without guardian or other legal representative. At common law an infant was under disability and without legal capacity to contract or to act in his own name in asserting a right in any legal proceeding. He could neither sue nor defend a suit in his own name. So long as he was without guardian limitations of time were tolled during the continuance of the disability. This common law rule still prevails in this State, except as it may have been modified by statute. To what extent, if any, is this common law rule, as to the disability of infants, modified by the Workmen’s Compensation Act? The answer to this question answers the question posed by this appeal. *258 For tbe purpose of becoming bound by tbe Workmen’s Compensation Act tbe disability of an infant of whatever age is removed. Tbe term “employee” is defined to mean “every person engaged in an employment under any appointment of bire or apprenticeship, express or implied, oral or written, including aliens and also including minors, whether lawfully or unlawfully employed.” Every employee is presumed to have accepted tbe provisions of tbe act, sec. 4, and is bound thereby unless be has given notice of nonacceptance, sec. 5, or is otherwise excluded by tbe terms of tbe act. Whenever payment is made to any person 18 years of age or over tbe written receipt of such person acquits tbe employer. When tbe employee is under 18 years of age and tbe amount to be received does not exceed $300.00 bis father, mother or natural guardian is authorized to receive and receipt for tbe money and to acquit tbe employer. Whenever tbe amount received for compensation exceeds $300.00 it must be made to some person or corporation appointed by tbe Superior Court as a guardian and tbe receipt of such guardian acquits tbe employer. Sec. 47, see, however, sec. 7, cb. 274, Public Laws 1931. Tbe guardian, trustee or committee of an employee who is mentally incompetent or is under 18 years of age at tbe time when any right or privilege accrues to him under this act, may, in behalf of such employee, exercise such right or privilege. Sec. 48. Sec. 49 is applicable only to tbe mentally incompetent and tbe minor dependent. These sections (other than sec. 49) are enabling provisions in derogation of tbe common law rule. Tbe common law, to tbe extent therein provided, is modified. Except as so modified it still prevails. No provision is made in respect to tbe filing of a claim by an infant under 18 years of age other than that contained in sec. 48. This section is a mere declaration of tbe common law rule. If tbe employee is under 18 years of age bis claim may be filed and prosecuted by bis guardian. As to him, be is under the disability of infancy. If be has no guardian be is without capacity to file or prosecute bis claim or by bis receipt to acquit bis employer until be arrives at tbe age of 18. It follows that tbe limitation of time, as provided by sec. 24, as against an employee under 18 years of age, begins to run at tbe time of tbe accident if there is a guardian, and, if not, then upon appointment of a guardian or on bis 18th birthday, whichever shall first occur. It would create an anomalous situation to bold that a claimant who is without capacity to receive and receipt for compensation or to assert bis right must nevertheless present bis claim or forever thereafter be barred from so doing. Such an interpretation would be as unjust to tbe employer as to tbe employee. *259 We conclude, therefore, that: (1) an infant employee is bound by the terms of the act without regard to his age; (2) for the purpose of filing and prosecuting a claim for compensation an injured employee is sui juris at the age of 18; and (3) the limitation of time provided by sec. 24, as against an employee under 18 years of age, who is without guardian or other legal representative, is tolled until he arrives at the age of 18. The claimant filed his claim in apt time. In dismissing it the commission acted upon an erroneous interpretation of the law. The claim should be heard upon its merits. Petition allowed.