Nacola Ruggs had previously been awarded worker's compensation benefits after suing her employer, MasterBrand Cabinets. MasterBrand appealed on multiple instances and the initial judgment in favor of Ruggs was upheld. Later, Ruggs moved to obtain double the awarded compensation as per § 25-5-8(e), Ala.Code 1975, claiming MasterBrand did not have workers' compensation insurance nor did it operate as an authorized self-insurer.
The trial court granted her double compensation which MasterBrand appealed. The Court of Civil Appeals ruled in favor of MasterBrand, reversing the decision of the lower court. It determined that the trial court lacked the jurisdiction to award double compensation since Ruggs' motion for double compensation was seen as an amendment to the original judgment, and was filed more than 30 days after said judgment.
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