SOUTHERN PRESTRESSED CONCRETE v. Thomas

Earnest Thomas (employee) sustained a work-related injury in October 1983, while employed by Southern Prestressed Concrete, Inc. (employer). The employee brought suit for workmen's compensation benefits in October 1984. After hearing the evidence, the trial court found employee totally and permanently disabled, entitling him to receive workmen's compensation benefits based on such total permanent disability. The employee's attorney was awarded a fee of fifteen percent of the compensation benefits. The trial court ordered the attorney's fees paid in a lump sum to be deducted by the employer…