Workmen's compensation — Time of appeal — The Pennsylvania Workmen's Compensation Act, Act 1915, June 2, P. L. 736 — Notice of board action — Mailing — Filing — Jurisdiction of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.
1. Under provisions of The Pennsylvania Workmen's Compensation Act, Act 1915, June 2, P. L. 736, appeals to the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania must be filed within twenty days after notice of the action of the Workmen's Compensation Appeal Board has been mailed to the party appealing. [280]
2. Mailing an appeal to the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania does not constitute the filing of the appeal. [280]
3. In the absence of fraud or other extenuating circumstances, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania has no jurisdiction over a workmen's compensation appeal which is not timely filed. [280]
OPINION BY JUDGE KRAMER, May 30, 1974:
This is an appeal by Findlay Refractories Company (Findlay) from an order of the Workmen's Compensation Appeal Board (Board) awarding medical expenses to John P. Harvey (Harvey).
Notice of the Board's order awarding medical expenses to Harvey was mailed to the parties on April 4, 1973. Findlay apparently mailed its appeal to this Court on April 24, 1973. The appeal was received and filed on April 27, 1973, 23 days after the mailing of notice.
The Pennsylvania Workmen's Compensation Act, Act of June 2, 1915, P. L. 736, § 427, as amended, 77 P. S. § 873, requires that appeals to this Court be taken within 20 days after notice of the Board's action has been served. The Workmen's Compensation Act also provides that such notices shall be deemed served on the date mailed. Since the mailing of an appeal to this Court does not constitute the filing of said appeal, Findlay's appeal, which was received and filed on April 27, 1973, was filed three days beyond the 20-day statutory appeal period. See General v. E. Roseman Co., 10 Pa. Commw. 569, 312 A.2d 609 (1973).
The issue raised by the untimely filing of the appeal is jurisdictional, and therefore, absent fraud or sufficient extenuating circumstances (none of which is shown on this record), this Court is precluded from reaching a decision on the merits of the appeal. See General, supra.
Therefore, we
ORDER
AND NOW, this 30th day of May, 1974, the appeal of Findlay Refractories Company is hereby dismissed and judgment is entered in favor of John P. Harvey and against Findlay Refractories Company and/or its insurance carrier, for medical expenses totaling $965.00; said sum is to be paid to Dr. Wilson B. Pizzi for medical treatment rendered to John P. Harvey.