Lokas v. Greer
| Decision Date | 04 January 1984 |
| Docket Number | No. 67183,67183 |
| Citation | 313 S.E.2d 725,169 Ga.App. 537 |
| Parties | LOKAS v. GREER. |
| Court | Georgia Court of Appeals |
William J. Sussman, Augusta, for appellant.
James G. Blanchard, Jr., Augusta, for appellee.
Charles Thomas Lokas appeals from the trial court's grant of judgment on the pleadings to defendant Judy Greer d/b/a Judy's Employment Agency. Lokas paid Greer $50 toward a $200 employment placement fee. Shortly thereafter, Greer informed Lokas that she had obtained a position for him at Arby's and advised him to give notice at his old job. In reliance upon this, Lokas quit his job and reported to Arby's on the appointed date, only to find that there was no job for him and that Greer had never obtained a position for him. Lokas instituted both criminal and civil proceedings against Greer; the record does not reveal the course of the criminal proceedings; however, civil suit was filed in May 1981. Greer answered, generally denying the material allegations. Approximately one year after answering the suit, but before trial, Greer amended her answer to plead accord and satisfaction and release on the basis of a $50 check made payable to Lokas, dated September 9, 1981, which was endorsed and cashed by Lokas. Upon the reverse of the check the following language was typed: "This check is in payment of a $50.00 indebtedness tendered by Charles Lokas on or about the 2nd day of January, 1981, and payment of same is a release of any and all claims which Charles Lokas had against Judy Greer d/b/a Judy's Employment Agency." Lokas' endorsement appeared immediately below the typed language on the back of the check.
Lokas argues that he accepted the check only as restitution in the criminal proceeding. However, as noted above, the release does not contain any such limiting language, nor did Lokas make any reservation in his endorsement. "While under certain circumstances a party may settle one claim without relinquishing another [Cit.], specific language to this effect must be utilized...." Garrett v. Heisler, 149 Ga.App. 240, 241, 253 S.E.2d 863 (1979). The release is clear and unambiguous. Lokas does not contend, nor does the record show any artifice, fraud, or trick which prevented Lokas from reading the release. Nor does the record evidence disclose a mistake of fact such as would avoid the release here. Compare Vann v. Williams, 165 Ga.App. 457, 299 S.E.2d 908 (1983), wherein the evidence of record was...
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Kahn v. Columbus Mills, Inc.
...of appellants' claims against appellees for breach of their fiduciary duties as directors of Columbus Mills. Compare Lokas v. Greer, 169 Ga.App. 537, 313 S.E.2d 725 (1984); Bishop v. Intl. Paper Co., 173 Ga.App. 34, 325 S.E.2d 870 (2) Extensive reference is made by both parties in their bri......
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...dispute over past-due rent owed by Dublin Pub, but MONY did not relinquish or release its claim to future rents. See Lokas v. Greer, 169 Ga.App. 537, 313 S.E.2d 725 (1984); Kahn v. Columbus Mills, 188 Ga.App. 90, 371 S.E.2d 908 (1988). Because of the misplacement of the February 1988 check ......
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Edenfield v. Rogers
...could not fail to have been on notice that the release included [defendant's counterclaim in the case sub judice]." Lokas v. Greer, 169 Ga.App. 537, 538, 313 S.E.2d 725. The trial court erred in applying the reasoning of Vann v. Williams, 165 Ga.App. 457, 299 S.E.2d 908, to the facts of the......