Smith v. Hastings Irrigation Pipe Co.
Nebraska Supreme Court
386 N.W.2d 9 (1986)
- Written by Abby Roughton, JD
Facts
Linda Smith (plaintiff) lost several of her fingers in an accident during her employment with Hastings Irrigation Pipe Company (Hastings) (defendant). Prior to her employment at Hastings, Smith held jobs that required the use of both of her hands and arms, including file clerk, waitress, and salesclerk jobs. However, after her injury, Smith could no longer perform jobs that required the use of both of her hands and arms. Smith began taking classes at a local community college that would prepare her for managerial-type duties in retail horticulture. Smith applied for workers’-compensation benefits from Hastings, and the Nebraska Workmen’s Compensation Court awarded compensation, including expenses for Smith’s medical treatment and temporary-total-disability payments during the treatment. The compensation court also found that Smith was entitled to vocational-rehabilitation services that would prepare her for a new job that did not require constant use of both of her hands and arms. Hastings challenged the award of vocational-rehabilitation services in the Nebraska Supreme Court.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Grant, J.)
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