Department of Transportation v. Worley

263 S.E.2d 436, 244 Ga. 783, 1979 Ga. LEXIS 1414

Opinion

Hill, Justice.

This condemnation case was tried on May 25 and 26, 1978, and the jury awarded attorney fees to the condemnee. Subsequently, on November 22, 1978, we determined that attorney fees are not available in condemnation actions. DeKalb County v. Trustees, Decatur Lodge No. 1602, B. P. O. Elks, 242 Ga. 707 (251 SE2d 243) (1978). On appeal, the Court of Appeals held that the condemnee had acquired a vested right to the attorney fees. Dept. of Transportation v. Worley, 150 Ga. App. 768, 769 (258 SE2d 595) (1979). This issue was decided adversely to the condemnee in Dept, of Transportation v. Kendricks, 244 Ga. 613 (1979). The award of attorney fees must be stricken from the verdict.

Argued November 14,1979 Decided November 27, 1979. Arthur K. Bolton, Attorney General, Marion O. Gordon, Senior Assistant Attorney General, Warren Akin, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, for appellant. Langford, Pope & Bailey, Beverly Langford, William P. Bailey, for appellees.

Judgment affirmed with direction that the attorney fees be stricken from the judgment.

Nichols, C. J., Undercofler, P. J., Jordan, Bowles and Marshall, JJ., and Judge Charles L. Weltner, concur.