SECOND DI VI SI ON

M I LLER, P. J.

, BROWN and GOSS, JJ.

N O T IC E : M otions for r e c ons i de r a tion m us t be

ph y sic a l ly r e ce iv ed i n our c le r k ’s offic e w ithin te n

da y s of the da te of de c is ion to be de e m ed tim e ly file d.

http://w w w .ga a ppe a l s .us /r ule s

M ar ch 7, 2019



# I n th e Co u r t o f

A p p eals o f

G eo r g ia

A1 8 A1 53 1

. GEORGIA INSURERS INSOLVENCY POOL v

. DUBOSE. GS-0 5 7

A1 8 A1 53 2

. DUBOSE v

. GEORGIA IN S U RERS INSOLVENCY

POOL. GS-0 5 8

G O S S , J u d g e.

Aft er s h e was i nju red i n an au t om o bi le co ll i s i o n wh i l e i n t h e s c o p e o f h er

em pl o y m en t

, Carl a Du Bo s e fi l ed fo r wo rk ers ’ co m p en s at i o n b e n e f

i t s

. A ft er h er

em pl o y er’ s wo rk ers ’ co m

p en s at i o n i n s u rer b ecam e i n s o l v en t

, t h e G eo r g i a I n s u rers

In s o l v en cy Po o l (t h e “ Po o l ”) t o o k o ver her cl ai m

. Th e Po o l t hen fi l ed t h e i n s t an t

d ec l arat ory ju dg m en t act i o n as k i n g t h e t ri al co u rt t o d ecl are th at t h e ex h au s t i o n

p ro v is i o n o f t h e Geo rg ia In s u rer’ s In s o l v en cy Po o l Act (t h e “ Po o l Act ”), OCGA § 3 3

-

3 6 -1 4, req u i red t h at an y p ro ceed s t h at Du Bo s e recei v ed fro m o t h er s o l v en t i n s u ran ce

carri ers (i n cl u d in g s et t l em en ts fro m t h e au to m o b i l e l i ab il i ty i n s u ran ce fo r t h e o t h erd ri v er an d h e r o wn un i n s u red / u n deri n s ured po l i ci es

, as w el l as b en efi t s recei v ed

u n d er h er di s ab il i t y p o l i c y) s h o u l d red u ce h er cl ai m ag ai n s t t h e Po o l b y t h e fu l l

a m ou n t s recei v ed

. Th e t ri al co urt d en i ed t he Po o l ’ s m o t i o n fo r s u m m ary ju d g m en t

,

h o l d i n g t h at OCGA § 3 3 -3 6 -1 4 (a) l i m i t e d “ t h e o ffs et to m o n ey reco v ered fo r l o s t

wag es a n d m e d ical ex p en s es

– ‘ cl ai m s ’ t h at co u l d b e m ad e un d er t h e wo rk ers ’

co m p [en s at i o n ] s t at u te[.] ” Th e t ri al co u rt fu rt h er h el d th at an i s s u e o f fact ex i s t ed as

t o t he p u rp os e o f t h e i n s uran ce p ro ceed s Du Bo s e h ad al read y recei v ed . W e g ran t ed

t h e p art i es ’ cro s s -m o ti o n s fo r i n t erl o cu t o ry ap p eal

.

In Cas e N o

. A1 8 A1 5 3 1, t h e Po o l ap p eal s fro m t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s o rd er, arg u i n g

t h at t h e Po ol i s en ti t l ed t o o ffs et a n y m o n ey reco v ered b y Du Bo s e u n d er p o l i ci es o f

s o l v en t i n s urers

. Th e Po o l argue s, a lt ern at i v el y

, t h at t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n co n cl u d i n g

t h at a fact i s s u e p recl ud ed su m m ary ju d g m en t

. In Cas e No

. A1 8A1 5 3 2

, Du Bo s e fi l ed

a cro s s -ap peal

, co n t en d i n g t h a t t h e t r i al co urt erred t o t h e ex t en t t h at th e Po o l i s

en t i t l ed t o a n

y o ffs et fro m p ro ceed s s h e recei v ed fro m o t her i n s urers

. Becau s e we

co n cl u d e t h at t h e lan g u ag e o f t he Po o l Act ’ s ex h au st i on p ro vi s i o n at O CGA § 3 3 -3 6

-

1 4 (a) do es n o t req ui re s ol v en t an d i n s o l v en t carri ers p ro vi d e id en t ical co v erag e, we

rev ers e t h e t ri al c o u r t ’s d en i al o f t h e Po o l ’ s m o ti o n fo r su m m ary ju d g m en t i n p art

,

2v acat e it i n p art an d rem an d t he cas e fo r fu rt h er pr o c e e d i n g s co ns i s t en t wi t h t h i s

o p i n i o n

.

Su m m ary j u d gm en t i s ap p ro p ri at e wh en t h ere i s no g en u i n e i s su e o f

m at eri al fact an d t h e m o van t i s en t i t l ed to ju dg m en t as a m at t er o f l aw.

In rev i ewi n g t h e g ran t o r d en i al of a m o t i o n fo r s u m m ary j u d gm en t, we

ap p l y a de n o v o s t an d ard o f rev i ew, an d we v i ew t h e ev i d en ce, an d al l

reas o n ab l e co n cl u s i o n s an d i n feren ces d rawn fro m i t , i n t h e l i g h t m o s t

fav o rab le t o th e n on m o v an t

.

(Fo o tn o te o m i t t ed .) Gr i

z z l e v. No r s wo r t h y

, 29 2 Ga. A p p

. 3 03

, 3 03 -3 0 4 (6 6 4 SE2 d

2 9 6 ) (2 0 0 8 ).

Th e rel ev an t fact s are n o t i n d is p u t e. T h i s cas e aro s e f r o m a m o to r v eh i cl e

co l l i s i o n o n J u n e 2 0

, 20 1 4

, b et ween Carl a Du Bo s e an d Ki m berl y Dy ar. D u Bo s e was

i n ju red wh en h er v eh i cl e was s t ru ck b y a v eh i cl e d ri v en b y

Dy ar.

At t he t i m e o f t h e c o l l i s i o n

, Du Bo s e w as em p l o y ed b y Co m

p as s i o n at e Care

Ho s pi ce (“ Co m

p as s i on at e”) an d s h e was wo rk i ng wi t h i n t h e co u rs e an d s co p e o f h er

em p l o ym e n t

. Du Bo s e t h en fi l ed a cl ai m wi t h t h e St at e Bo ard of W o rk ers ’

Co m p en s at i o n

. Co m

p as s io n at e h ad a wo rk ers ’ co m p en s at i o n p o l icy i s s u ed by

Lu m b erm an ’ s Un d erwri t i n g Al l i an ce (“ Lu m b e r m a n ’ s ”). On M ay 23

, 2 0 1 6,

Lu m b erm an ’ s was p l aced i nt o l i q u i dat i o n, wi t h al l of i t s Geo rg i a cl ai m s tran s ferred

3t o t he Po o l b y th e li q u i d at o r, an d t he Po o l u n d ert o ok res p o ns i b il i t y fo r t h e

ad m i n is t rat i o n o f Lu m

b erm an ’ s cl ai m s

. Th es e cl ai m s i n cl u d ed Du Bo s e’ s wo rk ers ’

co m p en s at i o n cl ai m

.

Du Bo s e al s o fi led a cl ai m ag ai n s t Dy ar, t h e dri v er res p o n si b l e fo r t h e co l l i s i o n.

Dy ar was i ns ured b y Gei co In s u ran ce Co m p an y (“ Gei co ”). O n Decem b er 1 7

, 2 0 1 4,

Du Bo s e s et t l ed wi t h G ei co fo r t h e au t o m o b il e l i ab i l i t y i n s u ran ce p o l i cy l i m i t s o f

$ 2 5 0 ,0 0 0

.

At t h e ti m e of t h e co l l i s i o n

, Du Bo s e had ad d it i on al i n s u ran ce u nd er t wo

u n i n s u red / u n d eri n s u red m o t o ri s t co v erag e p o li ci es an d two p ers o n al d i s ab i l i t y

p o l i ci es i s s u ed by S t a t e F arm In s u ran ce Co m p an y (“ St at e Farm ”). D u Bo s e s et t l ed

wi t h St at e Farm fo r $ 20 0 ,0 0 0 u n d er th e u ni n su red / u nd eri n s u re d m o to ri s t carri er

p o l i ci es

. St at e Farm d en i ed h er co v erag e as t o o n e o f t h e di s ab il i t y p o l i ci es ; h o wev er,

s h e i s recei v i ng $ 54 0 per m o n t h fo r u p t o 5 8 m o n t h s u n d er t h e o t h er p ers o n al

d i s ab i l i t y p o l i cy

. 1

Cas e No . A1 8 A1 5 3 1

1 Th e s p ars e ap pel l at e reco rd do es no t i n d i ca t e w h et h er t h e St at e Farm

d i s ab i l i t y p o l i cy is p ro v i d i n g p ay m en ts t o Du Bo s e fo r cl ai m s r e l a t e d t o t h e s am e

au t o m ob i l e acci d en t at i s s u e i n th e i n s t an t cas e. Co p i es o f t h es e i n s uran ce p o li ci es are

n o t i n t h i s reco rd

.

41

. In A1 8A1 5 3 1

, t he Po o l arg u es t h at th e t ri al co u rt erred b y l i m i t i n g t h e o ffs et

ri gh t s o f t h e Po o l u n d er OCGA § 3 3 -3 6 -1 4 t o am o u n t s recei v ed b y Du Bo s e s p eci fi c

t o l o s t wag es an d m ed i cal ex p en s es

. Th e Po o l cl ai m s t h at i ts o b li g at i o n s d o n o t ari s e

u n l es s an d u n t il t h e am ou n t s o wed u n d er t he wo rk ers ’ co m p en s at i o n cl ai m ex ceed t h e

am ou n t p ai d o u t b y a l l o t h er s o l v en t i n s urers

, reg ard l e s s o f wh at co v erag e was

p ro v id ed b y th e s o l v e n t p o li ci es

. Becau s e w e co ncl u d e t h at OCGA § 33 -3 6 -1 4 (a)

d o es n ot req u i re t he p o li ci es o f t h e s o l v en t an d i n s ol v en t carri ers t o p ro vi d e i d en t i cal

co v erag e a n d t h e Po o l i s en ti t l ed t o o ffs et t h e am o u n ts reco v ered fro m th e Gei co

au t o m ob i l e l i ab i l i t y p o li cy an d t h e St at e Farm u n i n s u red / u n d e r i n su red m o t o ri s t

p o l i ci es

, we rev ers e t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s d en i al o f t h e Po o l ’ s m o t i o n fo r s u m m ary

ju d g m en t i n p art

.

At t h e o u t s et , we no t e t h at t h e i n t erp ret at i o n of a s t at u te i s a q ues t i o n o f l aw,

w h i c h t h i s Co urt “ rev i ew[s ] d e n o v o o n ap p eal .” (Pu n ct u at i o n om i t t ed .) Br a n t l ey

La n d & T

i m b e r

, LLC v. W

& D In ves t men ts

, In c.

, 3 1 6 Ga. Ap p

. 2 77

, 27 9 (7 2 9 SE2 d

4 5 8 ) (2 0 1 2 ). W h en i nt erp ret i ng an y s t at u t e, w e b eg i n o u r an al y s is wi t h “ fam i l i ar an d

b i n d i n g can o n s o f co ns t ru ct i on .” Ho l co mb v. Lo n g

, 3 2 9 Ga. Ap p

. 51 5

, 5 1 7 (1 ) (7 6 5

SE2 d 6 8 7 ) (2 0 1 4 ). In co ns i d eri ng t h e m ean i ng o f a s t at u t e, o ur ch arg e as an ap p el l at e

5co u rt i s t o “ p res u m e t h at t h e Gen eral As sem bl y m ean t w h a t i t s ai d an d s ai d wh at i t

m ean t .” (Pu n ct u at i o n an d fo o t n o t e o m i t t ed .) Id . Acco rd in g l y

,

we m u s t affo r d t h e s t at u t o ry t ex t i t s p l ai n an d o rd i n ary m ean i n g

,

co n s i d er th e t e x t co n t ex t u al l y

, read t he t ex t i n i t s m o st n at u ral an d

reas o n ab l e way

, as an o rd i n ary s p eak er i n t h e En g li s h l an g u ag e wo u ld

,

an d s eek t o av o i d a co n s tru ct i on t h at m ak es s o m e l an g uag e m ere

s u rp lu s ag e.

(Pu n ct u at i on an d fo o t n o t es o m i t t ed .) Ha r ri s v. Ma h o n e

, 3 4 0 Ga. Ap p

. 4 1 5

, 4 1 7 -4 1 8

(1 ) (7 97 SE2 d 6 8 8 ) (2 0 1 7 ). Acco rd Oxen d in e v. Co mm’r o f In s

. o f N. C

. , 2 2 9 Ga.

Ap p . 6 0 4 , 6 0 7 (1 ) (a) (4 9 4 SE2 d 5 4 5 ) (1 9 97 ).

Th e Geo rg i a In s u rers In s ol v en cy Po o l i s a n o n -p ro fi t leg al en t i t y creat ed b y t h e

Geo rg i a Gen eral As s em

b l y an d g o v ern ed b y t h e Po o l A ct

, OCGA § 3 3 -3 6 -1 et s eq

.

OCGA § 3 3 -3 6 -6

. Th e Po o l p ro v i d es a l i m it ed s afet y n et fo r i ns u rers t h at ex p eri en ce

l i qu i dat i o n p u rs uan t t o t h e “ In s u rers Reh ab i l i t at i o n an d Li q u i dat i o n Act ,” OCGA §

3 3 -3 7-1 et s eq

. W h en an in s uran ce co m pan y i s p l aced i n to l i q u i d at i o n

, al l ex i s t i n g

cl ai m s of t h e i n s o l v en t carri er are t ran sferred t o t h e Po o l by t h e l i q u i d at o r an d t h e

Po o l u nd ert ak es res p o ns i bi li t y fo r t h e h an d l i n g an d ad m in i s t rat io n o f t h os e cl ai m s in

k eep in g wi t h t h e Po ol Act . OCGA § 3 3 -3 6-9 . Th e Po o l t h en st ep s i nt o t h e s h o es o f

t h e i n so l ven t i ns u rer: “ Th e Po o l s h al l b e d eem ed t he i n s u rer o n ly t o t h e ex t en t o f i t s

6o b l i g at i o n o n t he co v ered cl ai m s an d t o s u ch ex t en t

, s u bject t o t h e l i m i t at i on s

p ro v id ed i n t h i s ch ap t er, s h al l h av e al l ri gh t s

, du t i es

, an d ob l ig at i o n s of t h e i n s o l v en t

i n s u rer.

. . .” O CGA § 3 3 -3 6 -9

. Th e Po o l i s t h en “ res p on s i b l e f o r t h e i n ves t i g at i o n,

ad ju s t m en t

, co m

pro m is e, s et t l em en t

, an d p ay m en t o f co v ered cl ai m s ; fo r t h e

i n v es t i g at i o n

, han d l i n g

, an d d en i al of n o n co v ered cl ai m s ; an d fo r t h e m a n a g em en t

an d i n ves t m en t o f fu n ds ad m i n i s t ered b y t h e p o o l .” OCGA § 3 3 -3 6 -2

.

At i s s u e i n t he in s t a n t c a s e i s t h e i n t erp ret at i o n o f t h e ex h au s t i o n o f o t h er

i n s u ran ce an d s et -o ff p ro v i si o n o f t h e Po o l Act

, O CGA § 3 3 -3 6 -1 4

. Un d er t h i s

p ro v is i o n

, a cl ai m an t i s req u i r e d t o ex h au s t cert ai n s o u rces of i n su ran ce co v erag e

b efo re s eek i n g an y p ay m en t o f h i s o r h er cl ai m fro m t h e i ns o l ven cy p o ol

. OCGA §

3 3 -3 6-1 4 (a) p ro v i d es :

an y p ers o n h av i n g a cl a i m ag ai n s t a p o li cy o r an i n s u red u n d er a p o l i cy

i s su ed b y an i n s o l v en t i n s u rer, wh i ch cl a i m i s a co vered cl ai m 2 a n d i s

2 Th e Po o l A ct d efi n es a “ co v ered cl ai m ” as “ an u np ai d cl ai m wh i ch : (i ) [a] ri s es

o u t o f a p ro p ert y o r ca s ua l t y in su r a n ce po l i cy i s su ed by an i n s urer wh i ch b eco m es an

i n s o l v en t i n s u rer

. . .” an d (i i ) [i ] s wi t h i n an y o f t h e cl as ses o f cl ai m s u n d e r

s u b p arag rap h (B) o f t h i s p arag rap h .” OCGA § 3 3 -3 6 -3 (4 ) (A) (Em p h as is s u p p l i ed .)

Su b p arag rap h (B) l i s t s s ev eral t y p es o f cl ai m s t h a t c a n be co vered

, i n cl u d i n g “ [a]

cl ai m u n d er a l i ab i li t y o r wo rk ers ’ co m p en s at i o n in s u ran ce p o l i cy w h en ei t h er t h e

i n s u red o r t h i rd -p art y cl ai m an t was a res i d e n t o f t h e s t at e at t h e t i m e o f t h e i n s u red

ev en t.” OCGA § 3 3 -3 6 -3 (4 ) (B) (v ). “ P r o p ert y an d cas u al t y i n s u ran ce po l i cy ” i s

b ro ad l y d efi n ed

, b u t s o m e d i s ab i l i t y cl ai m s are ex cl u ded

. OCGA § 3 3 -3 6 -3 (1 1 ) (B).

7a l

s o a cl a i m wi t hi n t h e co ver a g e o f a ny p o li cy i s su ed by a s o l ven t

i n s u r er

, s hal l b e req u i red t o ex h au s t fi rs t h i s o r h er ri g h t s un d er s u ch

p o l i cy i s s u ed b y t h e s ol ven t in s urer. Th e p o l i cy o f th e so l v en t i n s u r e r

s h al l b e t reat ed as p ri m ary co v erag e an d t h e p o l i cy of t h e in s o l v en t

i n s u rer sh al l b e t reat ed as s eco n dary co verag e an d hi s o r h er ri g h t s t o

reco ver su ch cl ai m u nd er t h is ch ap t er s ha l l b e red u ced b y an y a mo u n t s

r ecei ved f r o m t h e s o l ven t

i n su r er s

.

(Em p h as i s s u p p li ed ).

(a) OCGA § 3 3 -3 6 -1 4 (a)’ s u s e o f t he wo rd “ cl ai m .”

In t erp re t i n g OC G A § 33 -3 6 -1 4 (a), w e fi n d t h at b efo re a p o l icy i s s u ed b y a

s o l v en t i n s u rer m ay b e deem ed p ri m ary

, t wo co n d i t io ns m u st b e m et

. Fi rs t

, t h e

cl ai m an t m

u s t “ h av [e] a cl ai m ag ai ns t a p o l icy o r an i n s ured u n d er a p o li cy is s u ed by

an i ns o l ven t in s urer,” wh i ch i s a “ co v ered cl ai m ” u n d er t h e p o li cy o f t h e i n s o l v en t

i n s u rer; an d s eco n d

, “ [t h at ] wh i ch cl ai m [m u s t ] al s o [b e] a cl ai m wi t h i n t h e co v erag e

o f an y po li cy i s s u ed b y a s o l v en t i n su rer.” OCGA § 3 3 -3 6 -1 4 (a). As i s m o re

t h o ro u g hl y d i s cu s s ed i n Di v i s i o n (1 ) (b ), o n ce a p o l i cy i s s u ed b y a s o lv en t i n s u ran ce

W o rk ers co m

p en s at i o n in s uran ce fal l s wi t h i n t h e d efi ni t i o n o f “ cas u al t y i n s u ran ce

p o l i cy .” See OCGA § 3 3-3 6-3 (1 1 ) (B); OCGA § 3 3 -7 -3 (2 ).

8co m

p an y i s d eem ed p ri m ary

, t h e cl ai m an t ’ s ri g h t s t o reco v er “ s h al l b e red u ced b y a n y

a mo u n ts r ecei ved fro m

t h e s o l ven t i n s u rers .” OCGA § 3 3 -3 6 -1 4 (a).

Th e Po o l A ct d o es n o t ex p res s l y d efi n e t h e t erm “ cl ai m .” Th e Po o l arg u es t h at

b ecau s e Du Bo se’ s p ers o n al i n ju ry an d d i s ab i l i t y cl aim s a r os e fro m t he s am e co l l i s i o n,

t h e Po ol ’ s o b li gat i o n fo r wo rk ers ’ co m pen s at i o n b e n e f

i t s s h o ul d b e o ffs et by

Du Bo s e’ s reco v ery u n d er t h e o th er, s o l v en t

, i n s u ran ce po l ici es

. Du Bo s e co n t en d s

, o n

t h e o t h er h an d

, t h at “ cl ai m ” s h o u l d b e in t erp ret ed m o r e n a r ro wl y t o in cl u d e o n l y

“ cl ai m s fo r t h e t y

p es o f dam ag es t h at are t h e Po o l ’ s res p o n s i b i l it y

. ” Du Bo s e arg u es

t h at h er w o rk ers ’ co m

p en s at i o n cl ai m is no t a “ c l a i m w i th i n th e co v erag e” o f t h e

o t h er s o l v en t p o l i ci es in t h is cas e b ecau se i t i s n o t u n d er an i n s u ran ce p o l i cy t h at

co v ers t he s am e li ab i l i t y an d ri s k s t h at are co v ered b y t h e p o l i ci es o f t h e s o l v en t

i n s u rers

. Th u s, Du Bo s e arg u es

, b ecau s e at l eas t s o m e o f t h e d am ag es co v ered b y t h e

b en efi t s p ai d b y s ol v en t i ns u rers i n v o l v e dam ag es n o t av ai l ab l e u n d er t h e wo rk ers ’

co m p en s at i o n s y s tem

, “ an o ffs et s h ou l d b e al lo wed o nl y t o t h e ex t en t t ho s e p ay m en t s

d u p l i cat e p ay m en t s fo r wh i ch th e Po o l wo ul d h av e b een res p o ns i b le.”

Al t h ou g h n ei th er t h e Po o l Act n o r Geo rg i a cas e l aw h as ad d res s ed t he m ean i n g

o f “ cl ai m ” in t h e ex h au st i on p ro v i s i o n at OCGA § 3 3 -3 6-1 4

, o t h er ju ri s d i ct i o n s h av e

d o n e s o

. Al l fi ft y st at es hav e en act ed s i m i l ar g u aran t y st at ut es t o p ro t ect t h e i n s u red

9o f i n s o lv en t i n s u ran ce co m p an i es fro m “ s u fferi n g t h e h ard s h i p o f u n co m p en s at ed

l o s s es .” (Ci t at i o n o m i t ted .) Mo s i er v. Okl ah o ma Pr o p

. a n d Ca s

. In s

. Gu a r

. As s ’n

, 8 9 0

P.2 d 8 7 8, 88 0 (Ok la. 1 9 95 ). Acco rd i n g l y

, we l o o k t o c a s e l aw fro m o t h er s t at es

i n t erp ret i n g s i m il ar l aws fo r g ui d an ce. See, e. g

., S mi t h v. S t ewa rt

, 2 9 1 G a. Ap p

. 8 6,

9 2 (1 ) (a), n

. 7 (6 6 0 SE2 d 8 2 2 ) (2 0 0 8 ) (“ Becau s e Geo rg i a l aw o n d efam at io n cl ai m s

. . . i s rel at i v el y u n d erd ev el o p ed

, t h e part i es rel y h eav i l y o n t h e l aws of ot h er s t at es

.

. . . On t h os e i s s u es t h at h av e no t b een fu l l y ad d res s ed i n Geo rg i a, we al s o l o o k t o t h e

l aws o f o t h er s t at es an d t he fed eral co u rt s as p ers u as i v e au t h o ri ty ”).

In Bi r d v. No r

p a c Fo o ds

, In c.

, 9 3 4 P.2 d 3 8 2 (3 2 5 Or. 5 5 ) (1 9 9 7 ), t h e Su p rem e

Co u rt o f Oreg o n rev i e w e d t h e rel at i o n s h ip b et ween a “ cl ai m ” u n der an i n s u ran ce

p o l i cy ag ai n s t a s o lv en t i n s u r e r a n d a “ co v ered cl ai m ” u n d er an i n s uran ce p o l i cy

ag ai n s t a n i ns ol v en t i n s u rer, t h e s am e t erm s u s ed in OCGA § 33 -3 6 -1 4 (a), an d

co n cl u d ed t h at t h e “ l e g i s l at u re i n t en d ed t h at t h e wo rd ‘ cl ai m ’ refer s im p l y to a

g en eri c as s ert i on o f a ri g h t t o p ro p ert y o r m o n ey ari si n g o ut o f a co m m o n i n ju ri ou s

10ev en t.” (Fo o t n o t e o m i t t ed

. ) Id at 6 3 -6 4

. 3 Th e Oreg o n Su p rem e Co u rt fu rt h er

ex p lai n ed t h at

an y ‘ cl ai m ’ ag ai n s t a s o l v en t i n s u rer ari s i n g o u t o f a p art i cu lar in ju ry

,

wi t h ou t reg ard t o t h e o p erat i v e fact s o r th e s o u rce of t h e l eg al ri g ht t hat

wo u ld en t i t l e a cl ai m an t t o a reco v ery

, m u s t b e ex h au s t e d b efo re t hat

cl ai m an t m ay p u rs ue a ‘c o v e r ed cl ai m ’ ag ai ns t an i n s o l v en t i ns u rer

ari s i ng ou t o f t h e s am e i n ju ry

. I n li g h t o f t h e l eg i s lat u re’ s o v erarch i n g

g o al o f en s u ri n g t h at [t he g u aran t y as s o ci at i o n ] rem ai n t h e carri er o f l as t

res o rt

, . . . we co n cl u d e t h a t [ t h e cl ai m an t ’ s ] cl ai m fo r wo rk ers ’

co m p en s at i o n b en efi t s i s l o g i cal l y i n d is ti n g u i s h ab l e fro m a to rt c l a i m

ag ai ns t a s ol ven t i n s urer.

(Ci t at i o n o m i t ted .) Id

. Si m i l arl y

, Geo rg i a’ s Po o l Act d o es n o t d i s t i n g u i s h b et ween a

wo rk ers ’ co m

p en s at i o n cl ai m an d a t o rt cl ai m

. Th ere i s n o t hi n g i n t h e pl ai n l an g u ag e

o f t h e Po o l Ac t t o i n d i c a t e t h at i t s u s e o f th e wo rd “ cl ai m ” i s res t ri ct ed t o t h e s am e

t y p e o f co v erag e fo r wh ich t h e Po o l i s res po n s i b l e.

Deci s i o ns by o t h er s t at es al s o s u p p o rt t h e Po o l ’ s co n t en ti o n t h at th e co v erag e

p ro v id ed b y t he s o l v en t carri er d o es no t h av e t o be t he s am e ty p e o f co v e r a g e

3 Oreg o n ’ s “ [ p ]ri o ri t y o f cl ai m s ” s t at u te p ro v i d es

, in rel ev an t p art

, “ [a] ny

p ers o n wh o h as a cl a i m u n d er an i n s u ran ce p o l i cy ag ai ns t an i n s u rer ot h er t h an an

i n s o l v en t i n s urer wh i ch wo u l d al s o b e a co ver ed cl a i m ag ai n s t an in s o l v en t i n s u r e r

m u st fi rs t ex h au s t t h e rem ed i es u n der s u ch p ol icy [.] ” (Em p h as i s s up p li ed .) O. R. S.

§ 7 34 .6 4 0

.

11p ro v id ed b y t h e i n s o l v en t carri er. In Mi s s i s s i p p i In s. Gu a r a n t

y A s s o c. v. Bl a ken ey

, 5 4

So .3 d 2 0 3

, 2 0 6 (II) (M i s s. 2 0 1 1 ), t h e Su p rem e C o u r t o f M is s i s s i p p i i n t erp ret ed a

p r o v i s i o n s i m i lar t o OCGA § 3 3 -3 6 -1 4 4 t o co n cl u d e t h at t he M i s s i s si p p i In s u ran c e

Gu aran ty As s o ci at i o n (“ M IGA”) co u l d o ffs et t h e am o u n t s p ai d t o a cl ai m an t b y o t h er

s o l v en t i n s u ran ce p o l i c i e s b e f o re i t was l i ab l e to p ay fo r h er cl ai m s u n d er h er

i n s o l v en t wo rk ers ’ co m

p en s at i o n carri er. Th e cl ai m an t i n B l a ken ey was i n v o l v ed in

an au t o m o b i l e acci d en t d u ri n g t h e co urs e o f h er em p l o y m en t

. Sh e co l l ect ed t h e p o l i cy

l i m i ts o f t h e ad vers e d ri v er’ s l iab i l i t y i n su ran ce p ol i cy a nd se ttl ed wi t h h er em p l o y er’ s

u n d eri n s u red /u n i n s u red i n s u r a n ce p o l i cy

, an d t h en b eg an recei v i n g wo rk ers ’

co m p en s at i o n ben efi t s fro m he r e m p loy er’ s wo rk ers ’ co m

p en s at i o n carri er. W h en h er

4 Th e rel ev an t p ort io n o f t h e M i s s i s s ip p i In s u ran ce G u aran t y As s o ci at i o n Act

p ro v id es t h at

An y p ers o n h av i n g a cl ai m ag ai n s t an i n s u rer u n d er an y p ro v i s i o n i n an

i n s u ran ce p o l i cy o t her t h an a p o li cy o f a n i n so l v en t i n s u rer, wh i ch i s

al s o a co v ered cl ai m

, sh al l b e req u i red t o ex h au s t fi rs t h i s r i g h t u nd er

s u ch p o l i cy . An y

am o u n t p ay ab l e o n a co v ered cl ai m u n d er t h i s art i cl e

s h al l b e r e d u c ed b y th e am o u n t o f an y reco v ery u n d er s u ch i n su ran ce

p o l i cy

.

M i s s

. Co d e. An n . § 8 3 -2 3 -1 2 3 (1 ).

12wo rk ers ’ co m p en s at i o n carri er w as d eem ed i ns o lv en t

, M IGA t o o k o ver t hat cl ai m

. Id

.

at 2 0 4

. Th e M i s s i s si p pi Su p rem e Co u rt h el d t h at M IGA was en t i tl ed t o o f f s et t h e

am ou n t s p ai d b y t h e o t h er i ns u ran ce p o l i ci es p er t h e cl ear l an g u ag e of t h e ex h au s t i o n

p ro v is i o n o f t h e g uaran t y s t at u t e. 5 Id

. at 2 0 6 -2 07

. See al s o Ca l i f o r ni a In s

. Gu a r a n t ee

As s o c. v. W

o r ke r s ’ C omp en s a t i o n A

p p ea ls B o a r d

, 1 1 2 Cal .Ap p .4 t h 3 5 8 (5

Cal .Rp t r.3 d 12 7) (2 00 3 ) (t he Cal i fo rn i a I nsur a nc e G ua r a nte e A ssoci at io n was en t i t l ed

t o o ffs et a cl ai m an t’ s w o rk ers ’ co m p en s at i o n b en efi t s b e i n g pai d b y t h e g u aran t y

as s o ci at io n b y am o u nt s t h e cl ai m an t h ad recei v ed fro m an ad v ers e d ri v er’ s l i ab i l i t y

i n s u ran ce an d fro m

t h e cl ai m an t ’ s o wn u n i n su red / u n d eri n s u red m o t o ri s t carri er).

Bas ed up o n th e ab o v e, we co n cl u d e t h at t h e l an g uag e o f OCGA § 3 3 -3 6 -1 4 (a)

m ean s t h at t h e i n su ran ce p o li ci es i s s u ed by Gei co

, as Dy a r ’s a u t o m o b il e l i ab i l i t y

i n s u ran c e c arri er, an d b y St at e Farm

, as u n i n s u red / un d eri n s u red m ot o ri s t co v erag e

carri er, are p ri m ary t o th e Po o l co v erag e as t h ey h av e p ai d cl ai m s t o Du Bo s e wi t h in

t h e co v erag e o f t h es e p o l i ci es ari s i n g fro m t h i s co l l is io n

.

5 Du Bo s e cl ai m s t hat pers u as i v e au t h o ri ty fro m M is si s s i p pi is neg at ed b ecau s e

i t s wo rk ers ’ co m

p en s at i o n l aws d i ffer fro m Geo rg i a’ s

. Ho wev er, we co ncl u d e t h at t h e

Po o l ’ s ri gh t s i n t h e i ns t an t cas e are n o t b as ed i n t h e wo rk ers ’ co m p en s at i o n s t at u t e,

b u t i n st ead

, are b as ed s ol el y o n t h e l an g u ag e o f t h e Po o l Act

, OCGA § 3 3 -3 6 -1 4

. See,

e. g

., Mi s s i ss i

p p i Gu a r a n t

y As s n

. , 5 4 So .3 d at 2 08 (“ W e fi n d n o co n n ect i o n b et ween

a co m p carri er’ s Sect i on 71 -3 -7 1 s u b ro g at io n ri g h t s an d t h e [g uaran t y as s o ci at i o n ]

Act ’ s ex h au s t i o n p ro v i s i o n ”).

13(b ) Th e Po o l Act ’ s Ex hau s t i o n Pro v i s io n , OCGA § 3 3 -3 6 -1 4 (a).

Th e Po o l n ex t arg ues t h at t h e tri al co u rt erred i n l i m i t i n g t he o ffs et ri g h t s o f t h e

Po o l u nd er OCGA § 3 3 -3 5-1 4 t o am o u n t s recei ved b y Du Bo s e s p eci fi c t o lo s t wag es

an d m ed i cal ex p en s es . W e ag ree.

As o ri g i n al l y en act ed

, t he ex h au s t i o n p ro vi s i o n i n t h e Po o l Act p ro v i d ed

, in

p ert i nen t p art

, t hat “ an y p ers o n

. . . h av i n g a cl ai m ag ai n s t h i s i n s urer u n d e r an y

i n s o l v en cy p ro vi s io n co n t ai ned i n h i s i n s u ran ce p o l i cy

, wh i ch cl ai m ari s es o u t o f t h e

i n s o l v en cy o f a p art i ci p at i ng i n s u rer, s h al l b e req u i red t o ex hau s t fi rs t h i s ri g h t s u n d er

t h e p o l i cy ; an d h i s ri g h t s t o reco v er s u ch cl ai m [u n d er t h e Po o l Act ] s h al l b e red u ced

acco rd i n g l y .” (Em

p h as i s s u p pl i ed .) Ga. Laws 1 9 7 0

, p

. 7 0 0

, § 1 1. In 1 9 8 9 , h o wev er,

t h e a bove

- q u o ted ex h au s ti o n p ro v i s i o n was am en ded an d re-wri t t en t o ex hau s t cl ai m s

“ wi t h i n t h e co v erag e o f a n y p o l i cy i s s u ed b y a s o l v en t i n s u rer[. ]” (Em p h as i s

s u p p li ed .) Ga. Laws 1 9 8 9

, p

. 7 4

, § 8

. It was ag ai n rev i s ed i n 2 0 0 5

, an d cu rren t l y read s

t h at a cl ai m an t ’ s “ ri g ht s t o reco v er s u ch cl ai m u n d er th i s ch ap ter s h al l b e r ed u ced b y

a n y a mo un t s recei ved

f r o m t h e s o l ven t in s u r er

s .” (Em p h as i s su p pl i ed .) O CGA § 3 3

-

3 6 -1 4 (a) (Ga. Laws 2 00 5

, A c t 1 0 8

, § 2 0 ). In ad d it i on

, t h e 2 0 0 5 am en d m en t ad d ed

s u b s ect i o n (c) t o OCGA § 3 3 -3 6 -1 4

, w hi ch p ro v i d es t hat “ [t ] o th e ex t en t t h a t t h e

p o o l ’ s o b l i gat i o n i s red u ced b y ap pl i cat i o n o f t h i s Co de s ect i o n

, t h e l i ab i l i t y o f t h e

14p ers o n in s u red b y t h e i n so l ven t i n s u rer’ s po l i cy fo r t h e cl ai m sh al l be red uced i n t h e

s am e am o u n t .” OCGA § 3 3 -3 6 -1 4 (c).

Th e Gen eral As s em

b l y h as am en d ed t h e ex hau s t io n p ro v i s i o n

, OCGA § 3 3 -36

-

1 4 (a), o n m

u lt ip l e o ccas i o n s, ex p an di n g i t t o i n cl u d e t h e ex hau s t i o n o f a ll ap p l i cab l e

i n s u ran ce co v erag es . See, e. g

., G & M S S Tr u cki n g, In c. v. Ri ch , 2 2 4 Ga. Ap p . 1 3 0,

1 3 2 -1 3 3 (2 ) (4 79 SE2 d 7 6 1 ) (1 9 9 6 ) (t ri al co u rt erred b y fai l i n g to red u ce th e am o u nt

o f cl ai m an t ’ s ju d g m en t ag ai n s t t h e Po o l b y t h e am o u nt o f m ed i cal ex p en s es h e h ad

al r e a d y r ecei v ed fro m h i s o wn carri er u n d er m ed ical p ay m en ts co v erag e). Th e

l an g u ag e o f OCGA § 33 -3 6 -1 4 (a) al l o ws t h e Po ol t o o ffs et cl ai m s th at are “ w i t h in

t h e co v erag e o f a n

y p o l i cy i s su ed b y t h e s o l v en t i n s u rer.” (Em ph as i s s u p p l i ed .)

OCGA § 3 3

- 3 6 -1 4 (a). Th e t erm “ an y p ol i cy ” cl earl y ex p an d s t h e p o s s i b i l i t i es o f

p o l i ci es t o o ffs et , rat h er t h an t o res t ri ct t h em

.

Bas ed u p on t h e ab ov e, we fi n d t h at t h e t ri al co u rt i n t h e i n s tan t cas e erred b y

l i m i ti n g t h e o ffs et ri g ht s o f t h e Po o l u n d er O CGA § 3 3-3 6 -1 4 (a) t o am o u n t s recei v ed

b y Du Bo s e s p eci fi c t o l os t wag es an d m ed i cal e x p e n s e s

. W e co n cl u d e t h at t h e

l an g u ag e o f O CGA § 3 3 -3 6 -1 4 ( a ) d o e s n o t req u i re t h at t h e p o li cy i s s u ed b y t h e

i n s o l v en t carri er u n d er wh i ch th e cl ai m ag ai n s t t h e Po o l ari s es h as to b e fo r th e s am e

t y p e o f co v erag e as p ro v i d ed b y t h e s o l v en t i n s u rer’ s p o l i cy

. Fu rt h er, t h e p l ai n

15l an g u ag e o f O CGA § 3 3 -3 6 -1 4 (a) d o es n ot req u ire t h at t h e am ou n t o f o ffs et m u st b e

fo r th e “ s am e cl ai m ” o r fo r am o u n t s p a i d b y a s o l v en t carri er t h at are al s o at i s s u e

u n d er t h e i ns ol v en t carri er’ s p o l i cy u n d erl y in g t h e cl ai m

ag ai n st t h e Po o l.

Th e Po o l i s a s tat u t o ri l y creat ed n on -p ro fi t en t i t y i n t en d ed t o b e a s afet y n et fo r

t h o s e wh o s e i n s urers g o o u t o f b u s i n es s

. OCGA § 3 3-3 6 -6 (a). Al l ex p en s es i n cu rred

b y t h e Po o l i n r e s o l v i n g t h e cl ai m s o f an i n s o l ven t carri er are b o rn e b y t h e

p o l i cy h o l d ers o f m em

ber i n s u rers o f th e Po ol

. OCGA § § 3 3 -3 6 -5 ; 3 3 -3 6 -7 .1

. A s a

res u l t, g uaran t y as s oci at i o n s h av e b een v i ewed b y co u rt s as a g u aran t o r o f l as t res o rt

,

p ro v id i n g b en efi t s o n l y wh en t h ere i s n o o t her i n s u ran ce av ai l ab l e. See Bi r d

, 93 4 P.2 d

at 3 8 7 (“ By p ro t ect i n g cl ai m an ts an d i n s ured s fro m ‘ fi n an ci al l o ss ’ res u l ti n g fro m t h e

i n s o l v en cy o f i n su rers

, t h e l eg i s l at u re d i d n o t t hereb y n eces s ari l y in t en d t h at

cl ai m an t s recei v e t h e ex act reco v ery t h at t h ey wo u l d h av e recei v ed fro m a s o l v en t

i n s u rer, t o th e d et ri m en t o f t h e l eg i s l at i v e g oal o f m ak i n g [t he g u aran t y as s o ci at i o n ]

t h e i n s u rer o f ‘ l as t res o rt ’ ”). 6

6 Du Bo s e a r g u es t h at G eo rg i a has a “ s t ro n g p u b l ic p o li cy o f co m p l et e

co m p en s at i o n [.] ” Ho wev er, t h ere i s n o lan g u ag e i n t h e Po o l A ct t h at d em o n s t rat es an

i n t en t t h at an in su red b e fu ll y an d c o m p l e t el y co m

p en s at ed u n der th e po l i cy o f an

i n s o l v e n t i n s u rer, as su g ges ted b y Du Bo s e. In fact

, i t i s cl ear t h at t h e Gen eral

As s em b l y has no t em

b raced t h at p u bl i c p o l i cy i n t h e cu rren t v ers i o n o f t h e Po o l Act

. Al t h o u g h a fo rm er v ers i o n o f t h e Po o l Act p ro v i d ed t h at i t was en act ed as “ a rem ed y

fo r co v ered cl ai m s u n d er p ro p ert y an d cas u al t y

i n s uran ce p o li ci es wh en t h e i n s u rer

16(c) W e nex t ad d res s h o w o u r h o l di n g ap p l i es t o t h e i n s u ran ce p o l i ci es t h at

Du Bo s e h as recei v ed pay m en ts fro m i n t h e i n s t an t cas e. It i s cl ear fro m th e reco rd t h at

t h e s et t lem en t s th at Du Bo s e recei ved fro m t h e ad vers e d ri v ers ’ Gei co au t o m o b i l e

l i ab i l i t y p o l i cy an d h er St at e Farm u n i ns u red /u n d eri n s u r ed m o t o ri s t co v erag e ari s e

fro m t h e au t o m o b i l e co l l i s i o n fro m wh i ch her wo rk ers ’ co m p en s at i o n cl ai m

aro s e. 7

h as beco m e i ns o l v en t an d i s u n ab l e t o p erfo rm it s co n t ract u al o b l i g at i o n s [,] ” OCGA

§ 3 3 -3 6 -2 (Ga. L. 1 9 8 7

, p

. 3

, § 3 3 ), t h e G en eral As s em b l y d el et e d t h at l an g u ag e in

2 0 0 5 . See Ga. L. 2 0 0 5

, p . 5 7 2, § 1 1

.

7 W e n ot e t h at t h e ap p el l at e reco rd is si len t as t o wh et her Du Bo se s e t t l e d fo r

t h e po l i cy l i m i t s av ai lab l e u n der t h e St at e Farm au t o m o b i l e u n d eri n s ured / u n i n s u red

m o t o r i s t c o v erag e o r fo r an am o u n t l es s t h an t h e p o li cy l i m i t s

. Ho wev er, t h i s

d i s t i n ct i o n d o es no t m at ter b ecau s e t he l an g u ag e o f t h e Po o l Ac t ’ s ex h au s t i o n

p ro v is i o n cl earl y s t at es t h at t h e Po o l i s en t i t l ed t o o ffs et o n l y t h e “ am o u nt r ecei ved

fro m t h e s o l v en t i n s u rers .” O CGA § 3 3 -3 6 -1 4 (a). See G & MS S Tr u cki ng

, In c., 2 2 4

Ga. Ap p

. at 13 2 -1 3 3 (2 ) (Un d er t h e Po o l Act ’ s ex h au s t i o n p ro v i s io n

, t he “ tri al co u rt

s h o u ld hav e red u ced th e am o u n t o f m ed ical pay m en t b en efi t s a ct u al l y r ecei ved fro m

t h e fi n al ju d g m en t ”). See, e. g

., Ha s ema n n v. W h it e

, 6 8 6 N.E.2 d 5 7 1 (1 77 Il l .2 d 4 1 4 )

(1 9 9 7) (o u t l i n i n g th e t h ree d i fferen t ap p ro ach es t h a t s t a t e s h av e ad o p t ed wh en

d eci d i n g h o w a cl ai m an t “ ex h au s t s” h i s o r her ri gh t s u n d er an ot h er ap p l i cab l e p o l i cy ).

Un d er t h e cl ear l an g u ag e o f t h e Po ol A ct ’ s ex hau s t io n p ro v i s i o n

, wh ich al l o w s fo r an

o ffs et o f o n l y t h e am ou n t s act u al l y r ecei ved b y t h e cl ai m an t

, it i s cl ear t h at Geo rg i a

h as ad op t ed t h e ap p ro ach t o ex h au s t i o n al s o ad o pt ed b y

, i n t er al i a, M i s s is s i p p i an d

M i ch i g an co u rt s

. T h i s ap p ro ach co n cl u d es tha t a c l ai m an t w h o s et t l es wi t h t h e s o l v en t

carri er fo r l es s t han t h e p o l icy l i m it s h as ex h au s t ed h i s ri gh t s an d t h at t h e g u aran t y

fu n d ’ s li ab i l i t y i s o ffs et b y t h e am o u n t o f t h e s et t l em en t recei ved

, p ro v i d ed t h at i t was

reach ed i n g o o d fai t h

. See e. g

., W a t ts v. Mi ch ig an Dep t

. o

f S t at e

, 3 9 4 M ich

. 3 5 0

, 3 5 7

(2 3 1 N W 2 d 4 5 ) (1 9 7 5 ); Bl a ken ey , 5 4 So .3 d at 2 09 -2 1 0 (IV) (M i s s . 2 0 11 ).

17Acco rd in g ly

, we rev ers e t he t ri al co u rt ’ s d en i al o f s u m m ary ju d g m en t t o t h e Po o l as

i t pert ai n s t o i t s ab i li ty

t o o ffs et t h e m on ey

Du Bo s e recei v ed u nd er t h es e p o l i ci es

.

Ho wev er, t h e s p ars e reco rd b efo re u s d oes n o t m ak e cl ear wh et h er th e m o n ey

recei v ed b y Du Bo s e fro m t h e St at e Farm d i s ab il i ty po l icy i s t o co m p en sat e fo r l o s s es

co n nect ed wi t h th e au t om ob i l e co l l i s i o n at is s u e in t h e i n s t an t cas e. Acco rd i n g l y

, we

rem an d t h e cas e t o t h e t ri al c o u r t fo r fu rt h er p ro ceed i ng t o det erm i n e wh et h er t h e

cl ai m s as t o t h e St at e Farm d i s ab i l i t y p o l i ci es ari s e f r om t h e s am e co l l i s i o n as

Du Bo s e’ s wo rk ers ’ co m

p en s at i o n cl ai m an d wh et her an y s u ch cl ai m s are wi t h i n t h e

co v erag e o f s u ch d i s ab i l i t y p o l i ci es p u rs u an t t o OCGA § 3 3 -3 6 -1 4 (a). Th e t ri al co u rt

s h o u ld p ro ceed co n s i s t en t wi t h t h i s o p i n i o n as t o an y cl ai m s fo r o ffs et as bet ween t h e

St at e Farm d i s ab i l i t y p o l i ci es an d t h e Po o l co verag e.

2

. As a res u l t o f o u r h o l d i n g i n Di v i s io n 1 o f t h i s o p i n io n, we n eed n o t ad d res s

t h e Po ol ’ s rem ai n in g en u m erat i o n

.

Cas e No . A1 8 A1 5 3 2

3

. In h er cro s s -ap p eal i n Cas e No

. A 1 8 A1 5 3 2, D u Bo s e co n t en d s t h at t h e Po ol

i s n o t en t i t l ed t o an y offs et fo r m o n ey s h e recei v ed fro m v ari o us au t o m o b i l e l i ab i l i t y

p o l i ci es an d di s ab i l i t y p o l ici es b ecau s e h er wo rk ers ’ co m pen s at i o n cl ai m i s a s ep arat e

18“ cl ai m ” u n d er t h e l an g uag e o f th e Po o l Act

. A s a res u l t o f o u r h o l di n g in D i v i s i o n 1,

we n eed n o t ad d res s h er en u m erat io n

.

Ju d g men t r ever

sed i n p a r t a n d va ca t ed i n p a r t

, a n d ca s e rema n ded wi th

d i r ect i o n. Mi l l er

, P. J., a n d

Br o wn , J., co n cu r

.

19