Times-Georgian v. Thompson
Times-Georgian v. Thompson
Opinion of the Court
This case involves an appeal from a judgment of the Superior Court affirming the award of the Board of Workers’ Compensation. An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) originally denied the claim filed by Shirley A. Thompson against her employer Times-Georgian. The claimant appealed and the board awarded temporary total disability benefits for that period of time the claimant was unable to work, temporary partial disability benefits for that period of time when she obtained other employment and payment of medical expenses.
The claimant did not file a brief within the time allowed by Rule 103 (b) (1) of the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Workers’ Compensation. Instead, she filed her brief on the day of the hearing. The employer objected to the untimely filing. Although claimant’s brief was stamped filed on the date of the hearing, the board indicated it would not be considered and the words “Filed late not considered” were handwritten on the face of the brief. Nevertheless, that paragraph of the award finding the claimant is entitled to temporary partial disability benefits contains the statement: “In lieu of tempo
The employer argues the award shows on its face that the brief was considered and that consideration of claimant’s untimely brief without allowing it the opportunity to file a response brief was a denial of its right to due process. We agree with the employer that the reference in the award to claimant’s brief overcomes both the presumption that the board properly disregarded the untimely brief and the conclusory statement of the board that it was not considered. This issue is analogous to appeals in which it is argued that the unbroken seal on a deposition transcript shows the trial court did not properly consider all evidence of record in ruling on a motion for summary judgment. “Sealed depositions in the record, in and of themselves, do not ordinarily overcome the presumption that the trial court has considered the entire record, as stated in its order.” Eunice v. Citicorp Homeowners, 167 Ga. App. 335 (2) (306 SE2d 395) (1983). In this case, the fact that the brief was stamped filed would not be sufficient to overcome the presumption that it was not improperly considered, as stated in the board’s denial of the motion for reconsideration. Reference to the brief in the award, however, is conclusive evidence that it was considered. Of course, an untimely brief may be accepted with the board’s permission. Rule 103 (b) (1). However, permitting the claimant’s untimely brief to be accepted without also permitting the employer to respond to that brief denies the employer its rights, under the rules and thus is in excess of the board’s power. An act in excess of the board’s power may be set aside on appeal. OCGA § 34-9-105 (c) (1).
The issue remains whether the improper consideration of the brief, even though in error, was harmful to the employer. Though the trial court was not convinced that the board “considered” the brief,
We reject, however, the employer’s argument that the award must be reversed. As noted above, even an untimely brief may be accepted with the board’s permission. Since it appears the board in this case accepted the untimely brief, the proper remedy to protect the employer’s right to due process is to permit the employer to file a response brief. When it is uncertain from the face of the award whether the board has considered certain evidence, the proper remedy is to remand to the board for further consideration. West Point Pepperell v. Payne, 151 Ga. App. 541 (260 SE2d 412) (1979). Likewise, this case is reversed with direction that it be remanded to the board for further consideration after permitting the employer the opportunity to submit its reply brief.
Judgment reversed with direction.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.