Ranney v. Parawax Co.

582 N.W.2d 152 (1996)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

P worked for D from 1975 through February 1981. P was exposed to toxic materials in the course of his regular duties. In 1985, P became ill and was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease. P suspected from the beginning that his condition might be causally connected to his work with toxic chemicals. P questioned treating physicians about a possible connection between his work with chemicals and his disease, but none of 'the doctors would commit themselves, one way or the other.' In 1987, P's wife started law school. She took a course in which she read cases discussing occupational diseases caused by exposure to chemicals. P and his wife discussed the possibility that his exposure to toxic materials at D caused his condition. It was not until 1991 when P asked a new treating physician whether there was a causal link between his work-related exposure and his Hodgkin's disease, that a doctor confirmed P's theory of causation. P filed a workers' compensation claim in 1992. P relied on the discovery rule to extend the two-year statute of limitations. The commissioner granted summary judgment to D, and that was affirmed by the district court. P appealed.