Coleman v. Columns Properties, Inc.

Hines, Justice.

We granted certiorari to the Court of Appeals to consider its decision in Columns Properties v. Coleman, 216 Ga. App. 428 (454 SE2d 546) (1995). The Court of Appeals determined that, under the doctrines of res judicata and estoppel by judgment, a prior workers’ compensation award was a binding determination of the non-invitee status of the plaintiff in a subsequent premises liability action. For the reasons which follow, we reverse.

Catherine Coleman was injured in a fall at a Columns Properties, Inc. construction site. Coleman’s husband was a construction supervisor for Columns…