Landmark Cases

Case Name: James CARTER v. General Motors Corp.
(Chevrolet. Gear & Axle)

Date, Location, Cite: 1960 MI
361 Michigan 575
Michigan Supreme Court

Plaintiff worked 1953-56 for GMC-had a "schizophrenic reaction" and claimed Workman's Compensation due to general daily emotional pressure, not a specific event. The MI Supreme Court affirmed. No single cause had to exist. Even pre-disposition wouldn't deny; benefits ended at time psychosis ended. GMC did not use an expert at all, case was decided on plaintiff's experts only. An early case. Would the Americans with Disabilities Act cover plaintiff now due to history of possible mental illness? State of MI changed laws to cover this.