Workers' compensation, policy and procedure.

Officials at the Briggs Manufacturing company appeal a state board's decision to award full workers' compensation benefits to an injured employee. Denver C. Lynch was injured when a washbasin fell against his knee. He was hospitalized for several months and returned to work on special conditions. Sometime later, Lynch was assaulted while off-duty and sustained a broken jaw. He spent more time in the hospital and later returned to work. Lynch later was run down by a car and suffered a broken leg. He filed a compensation claim, seeking complete disability benefits for the time he was off work due to the most recent injury and for the time missed to due his previous injuries. The company contested his claim.

The state's workers' compensation benefits commission awarded Lynch full disability for his injuries. The company now appeals.

A split decision. The Supreme Court of Michigan reversed the commission's ruling concerning complete benefits for the time frame covered by Lynch's various injuries and remanded the case for appropriate action. However, the court affirmed an award of complete benefits for a period of time Lynch missed work due to his injury.