Lower Vein Coal Co. v. Industrial Board, 255 U.S. 144 (1921)

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Lower Vein Coal Co. v. Industrial Board of Indiana

No. 186

Argued January 27, 1921
Decided February 28, 1921
255 U.S. 144

APPEAL FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES

FOR THE DISTRICT OF INDIANA

Syllabus

1. There is a sufficient distinction between coal mining and other hazardous employments to justify a state legislature in applying its workmen’s compensation system to the one compulsorily, while leaving it permissive or not applying it at all as to the others. Pp. 146, 149.

2. Neither in this respect nor in applying to all employees of coal mine operators, whether engaged in hazardous work or not, does the Indiana law invade the rights of a coal company under the Fourteenth Amendment. Id.

3. Nor does such law offend §§ 21 and 23 of the Indiana Bill of Rights, in failing to distinguish between those employees of coal operators who are and those who are not in the hazardous part of the business. P. 149.

4. The policy of workmen’s compensation acts, unlike that of employers’ liability acts, goes beyond the mere element of hazard, and admits of a broader range of reasonable classification in the public interest. P. 150.

Affirmed.

The case is stated in the opinion.