Court Opinion

ID: 9585816
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 23:04:09.553878+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:24:15.225048
License: Public Domain

Felton, C. J.,
concurring specially. The defendant in error
contends that the judgment finding the claimant totally and permanently disabled is res judicata on the question of the claimant’s condition at the time of such finding, for the reason that the award included a finding that maximum improvement in his condition had been reached, and contends that the implication in the cases of American Mutual Liability Ins. Co. v. Braden, 43 Ga. App. 74 (157 S. E. 904), and Keel v. American Employers Ins. Co., 44 Ga. App. 773 (162 S. E. 847), is that a finding that maximum improvement has been reached at a particular time is res judicata of the claimant’s condition, which cannot be reviewed on an application based on change in condition. Whatever the above decisions meant, they were disapproved in Liberty Mutual Ins. Co. v. Clay, 180 Ga. 294 (178 S. E. 736). It would seem that ,a finding of total and permanent disability alone would necessarily include a finding of the reaching of maximum improvement as of the time of the adjudication, at least in many cases. Whether such an award is authorized as of the time rendered is reviewable. If the claimant has a change in condition for the better, the matter is determinable upon application on change in condition. A finding of permanent and total disability without a finding of maximum improvement is in effect the same as such a finding plus a finding of maximum improvement. They both mean simply that the evidence authorizes the finding that the claimant as of the time of the adjudication is totally and permanently disabled, and if there is a change in condition for the better, the matter may be determined on application on change in condition. South v. Indemnity Ins. Co. of North America, 39 Ga. App. 47 (146 S. E. 45); Home Accident Ins. Co. v. McNair, 173 Ga. 566 (161 S. E. 131). The additional finding'of maximum improvement does not .give an award of total and permanent disability a finality which it would not have without such a finding. I believe this answers the contention made by the claimant in this case.