Jones v. Harold Arnold's Sentry Buick

• Decision Date: 03 January 2008
• Docket Number: No. 4328.,4328.
• Court: South Carolina Court of Appeals
• Parties: Tony D. JONES, Appellant, v. HAROLD ARNOLD'S SENTRY BUICK, PONTIAC, Employer and South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association, Carrier, Respondents.

656 S.E.2d 772

376 S.C. 375

Tony D. JONES, Appellant, v. HAROLD ARNOLD'S SENTRY BUICK, PONTIAC, Employer and South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association, Carrier, Respondents.

No. 4328.

Court of Appeals of South Carolina.

Submitted December 1, 2007.

Decided January 3, 2008.

Rehearing Denied February 14, 2008.

Thomas W. Greene, of Charleston, for Appellant.

Vincent C. Northcutt and Jason A. Williams, both of Charleston, for Respondents.

WILLIAMS, J.

This action originated from a workers' compensation claim filed by Tony Jones (Jones) against his employer, Harold Arnold's Sentry Buick, Pontiac, GMC (Employer). Jones argues the Appellate Panel of the Workers' Compensation Commission (Appellate Panel) improperly concluded Employer established the defense of intoxication. We affirm.

FACTS

Jones asserted he suffered compensable injuries to his back and lower extremities as a result of two falls that occurred on May 20 and May 21, 2004. At the time of his alleged injuries, Jones was a car salesman for Employer.

Jones acknowledged an addiction to cocaine. Jones admitted to using cocaine on May 16 and May 17, 2004. However, Jones denied using cocaine on the dates of his falls.

Prior to his alleged injuries, Jones voluntarily began counseling with Kevin Shea, a certified addictions counselor. On May 19, 2004, one day prior to Jones' first fall, Shea and Jones had a one-hour counseling session. According to Shea, Jones did not exhibit any signs of being under the influence of cocaine at this session. However, Shea admitted he did not meet with Jones on the dates of the falls, and therefore, Shea could not determine if Jones was under the influence of cocaine during those days. On the date of Jones' first fall, May 20, 2004, Jones tested positive for cocaine.

In denying a compensable injury had occurred, Employer sought to establish the affirmative defense of intoxication pursuant to S.C.Code Section 42-9-60 (Supp.2006). The Single Commissioner found Jones was intoxicated at the time of his falls. In so doing, the Single Commissioner specifically concluded Jones' testimony was not credible at either the hearing or at his deposition. The Single Commissioner further found Employer's witnesses' testimony to be more credible than Jones' witnesses' testimony. The Appellate Panel affirmed the Single Commissioner in full as did the circuit court. This appeal follows.

STANDARD OF REVIEW

The Administrative Procedures Act applies to appeals from decisions of the Commission. Lark v. Bi-Lo, Inc., 276 S.C. 130, 134-35, 276 S.E.2d 304, 306 (1981). In an appeal from the Commission, neither this Court nor the circuit court may substitute its judgment for that of the Commission as to the weight of the evidence on questions of fact, but it may reverse when the decision is affected by an error of law. Corbin v. Kohler Co., 351 S.C. 613, 617, 571 S.E.2d 92, 95 (Ct.App.2002).

"Any review of the [C]ommission's factual findings is governed by the substantial evidence standard." Lockridge v. Santens of Am., Inc., 344 S.C. 511, 515, 544 S.E.2d 842, 844 (Ct.App.2001). Accordingly, we limit review to deciding whether the Commission's decision is supported by substantial evidence or is controlled by some error of law. Corbin, 351 S.C. at 617, 571 S.E.2d at 95.

"Substantial evidence is evidence that, in viewing the record as a whole, would allow reasonable minds to reach the same conclusion that the full commission reached." Lockridge, 344 S.C. at 515, 544 S.E.2d at 844. "The possibility of drawing two inconsistent conclusions from the evidence does not prevent an administrative agency's finding from being supported by substantial evidence." Lee v. Harborside Cafe, 350 S.C. 74, 78, 564 S.E.2d 354, 356 (Ct.App.2002) (internal quotations and citations omitted).

LAW/ANALYSIS

Jones argues substantial evidence does not support the conclusion he was intoxicated at the time of his falls. We disagree.

Generally, the fault of an employee in a workers' compensation claim has no bearing on the employee's right to recover. Zeigler v. S.C. Law Enforcement Div., 250 S.C. 326, 329, 157 S.E.2d 598, 599 (1967). Section 42-9-60 makes an exception to this general rule and states, "No compensation shall be payable if the injury ... was occasioned by the intoxication of the employee...."

Intoxication is a condition that results from the use of a stimulant, which renders an employee impaired in his or her faculties to the extent that the employee is incapable of carrying on the accustomed work without danger to the employee. Reeves v. Carolina Foundry Mach. Works, 194 S.C. 403, 408, 9 S.E.2d 919, 921 (1940). Intoxication is an affirmative defense which requires the party asserting the defense to carry the burden of proof. Chandler v. Suitt Constr. Co., 288 S.C. 503, 504, 343 S.E.2d 633, 634 (Ct.App.1986).

The record is replete with testimony that requires this Court to conclude substantial evidence exists to affirm the Appellate Panel. On May 20, 2004, the date of the first fall, Jones tested positive for cocaine. Dr. Demi Garvin, a toxicologist, testified the positive result was consistent with Jones using cocaine on May 20, 2004.

Dr. Garvin further testified that cocaine use can result in red and glassy eyes,...