85 Ga. App. 487 | Ga. Ct. App. | 1952
Lead Opinion
(After stating the foregoing facts.) “An award made upon review by all of the directors of the State Board of Workmen’s Compensation under Code § 114-708, affirming a previous award by one director upon issues of fact is conclusive as to those issues if there is any evidence to sustain it.” General Accident, Fire & Life Assurance Corp. v. Rhodes, 83 Ga. App. 837 (65 S. E. 2d, 254). “On appeal to the superior court, such award stands on the same footing as the verdict of a jury which is supported by some evidence and which has been approved by the trial judge.” Bituminous Casualty Corp. v. Jackson, 68 Ga. App. 447, 448 (23 S. E. 2d, 191). The evidence was sufficient to authorize the findings of fact and award of the single director. It is well settled that findings of fact by the State Board of Work
Counsel for the plaintiffs in error ask the question whether the action here is properly one solely to collect an amount of temporary total compensation due George 0. Braswell or for benefits due Mrs. Braswell, his widow, or one to collect any and all amounts by anyone whomsoever. Having asked the question, counsel then argue that what was due the deceased, if anything, was compensation, and that a widow can collect only benefits. Hence, it is asserted, the award to Mrs. Braswell of $24 per week as compensation from October 17, 1949, seven days after the date of the husband’s injury, through December 20, 1950, the date of his death, was unauthorized in law. The proceeding was, as announced by the board in setting the first hearing, “to determine liability, compensation and dependency.” Mrs. Braswell was the lawful widow of George 0. Braswell, the original claimant, and his sole dependent. While the nature of any amount payable to the husband in his lifetime would have been compensation, yet if it had not been paid to him, although awarded before his death, and thereafter his administrator had sought to collect the amount of the award, the nature of the payment to be made the administrator under the award would have been immaterial. The widow here, being the sole survivor of her husband, would have the right to take charge of his estate if there were no unpaid debts against the estate. Code, § 113-903 (1); Johnson v. Champion, 88 Ga. 527 (15 S. E. 15); Killian v. Banks, 103 Ga. 245 (29 S. E. 971); Phillips v. Phillips, 163 Ga. 899 (7) (137 S. E. 561). No issue is raised as to any unpaid debts. Paraphrasing the language of Justice Gilbert in Jackson v. Butts, 148 Ga. 312, 316 (96 S. E. 630), it would be a needless circuity of action to' require the wife to go into the court of ordinary and have herself appointed administratrix in
It is also contended by counsel for the plaintiffs in error that the testimony of certain witnesses on a hearing in the lifetime of the employee should have been excluded. The lack of merit in this objection immediately becomes apparent when it is considered that the hearing after the death of the employee was
For the same reasons it was proper to consider the deposition of the employee which was taken by agreement in his lifetime and during the pendency of his claim.
Judgment affirmed.
Concurrence Opinion
concurring specially. Section 114-101 of the Code defining “employee” as used in the Act, states in part: “Any reference to an employee who has been injured shall, when the employee is dead, include also his legal representatives, dependents and other persons to whom compensation may be payable, pursuant to the provisions of this law.” (Emphasis supplied). Johnson v. Champion, supra, and Boddie v. Ridley, 197 Ga. 221, 223 (1a) (28 S. E. 2d, 773), hold that in cases where a person seeks to represent an estate by virtue of Code § 113-903 (1), there is a presumption that no outstanding debts existed. For these reasons I concur in the judgment.