Mize v. Cleveland Exp.

Decision Date05 March 1990
Docket NumberNo. A89A2100,A89A2100
PartiesMIZE v. CLEVELAND EXPRESS et al.
CourtGeorgia Court of Appeals

Robert P. Wilson, Decatur, for appellant.

John P. Hines, Michael D. Usry, Atlanta, for appellees.

Before DEEN, P.J., and BIRDSON and COOPER, JJ.

COOPER, Judge.

Appellant, who was receiving worker's compensation benefits for a temporary total disability, was adjudicated guilty of a felony and received a twenty-three year prison sentence. After appellant's incarceration, the appellee insurance company's request to suspend payment of benefits was denied by the administrative law judge on the basis that no offer of suitable employment was made by the employer to the employee. The denial was affirmed by the Worker's Compensation Board and then reversed by the superior court.

We agree with the superior court that the case of Scott Housing Systems v. Howard, 256 Ga. 675, 353 S.E.2d 2 (1987), is controlling. The Supreme Court therein espoused the general principle that "[i]n worker's compensation cases where the employee is charged with a crime while receiving benefits, ... the proper time for termination of benefits is the date of adjudication of guilt." Id. That decision was not limited, as argued by appellant, to the narrower issue in Howard v. Scott Housing Systems, 180 Ga.App. 690, 350 S.E.2d 27 (1986), and has since been more broadly applied. See Sargent v. Brown, 186 Ga.App. 890, 368 S.E.2d 826 (1988). Since the appellant in the instant case was receiving his benefits at the time he was charged with a crime, his benefits should terminate upon the date that guilt was positively adjudicated. Any offer of employment that may have been tendered to appellant would have been ineffectual since appellant could not meaningfully accept.

Judgment affirmed.

DEEN, P.J., and BIRDSONG, J., concur.

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6 cases
  • Martines v. Worley & Sons Const., A05A1985.
    • United States
    • Georgia Court of Appeals
    • 14 Febrero 2006
    ...incarcerated after an adjudication of guilt. Scott Housing Systems v. Howard, 256 Ga. 675, 353 S.E.2d 2 (1987); Mize v. Cleveland Express, 195 Ga.App. 56, 392 S.E.2d 275 (1990).2 Our decision in Earth First Grading v. Gutierrez, 270 Ga.App. 328, 606 S.E.2d 332 (2004), is instructive here. G......
  • Johnson v. State
    • United States
    • Georgia Court of Appeals
    • 7 Marzo 1990
  • Earth First Grading v. Gutierrez, A04A1542.
    • United States
    • Georgia Court of Appeals
    • 3 Noviembre 2004
    ...90, 92, 479 S.E.2d 773 (1996). 9. See Howard v. Scott Housing Systems, 180 Ga.App. 690, 350 S.E.2d 27 (1986); Mize v. Cleveland Express, 195 Ga.App. 56, 392 S.E.2d 275 (1990). 10. Mize, 11. OCGA § 34-9-104(a)(1); Clarke v. Samson Mfg. Co., 177 Ga.App. 149, 150-151(1), 338 S.E.2d 738 (1985);......
  • Wet Walls, Inc. v. Ledezma
    • United States
    • Georgia Court of Appeals
    • 30 Marzo 2004
    ...to this case given the 1989 date of injury. 17. Id. at 161, 338 S.E.2d 742. 18. (Emphasis supplied). 19. See Mize v. Cleveland Express, 195 Ga.App. 56, 392 S.E.2d 275 (1990). 20. See OCGA § 34-9-261. 21. See id. ...
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