Ex Parte Tuscaloosa County

We granted the petitioner's request to review the Court of Civil Appeals' holding that the "failure to file suit within the time specified by the applicable statute of limitations bars the injured employee's right to sue not only for [workmen's] compensation but also for [accrued medical expenses]."1 The Court of Civil Appeals, affirming the insurer's summary judgment, reasoned as follows:

"Section 25-5-1(1), Code 1975, expressly provides that `medical and surgical treatment and attention, medicine, medical and surgical supplies, crutches and apparatus furnished an employee' do not constitute…