Ex Parte Ruggs

Nacola Ruggs petitioned this Court for the writ of certiorari to review the judgment of the Court of Civil Appeals reversing the decision of the trial court, which had found MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc., f/k/a NHB Industries, Inc. ("MasterBrand"), liable, pursuant to § 25-5-8(e), Ala. Code 1975, for two times the amount of compensation that would otherwise have been payable. We granted certiorari review to determine the question of first impression: Whether the double-compensation penalty provided in § 25-5-8(e), Ala. Code 1975, is subject to the time limitations set forth in Rule 59, Ala. R.…