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The summary following each opinion is prepared to offer lawyers and the public a general overview of what a particular opinion decides. The summary is not necessarily a full description of the issues discussed in an opinion.

5528 - Harrison v. Owen Steel Company

Robert Harrison, an employee of Owen Steel Company, appeals the decision of the Appellate Panel of the Workers' Compensation Commission (Appellate Panel) denying his claim for compensation for injuries sustained from an admitted workplace accident occurring on September 17, 2008. Harrison argues the Appellate Panel erred in finding his claim was barred by the doctrine of laches and the occurrence of intervening accidents. We affirm.

5529 - D.R. Horton v. Builders FirstSource

D.R. Horton, Inc. (D.R. Horton) appeals the circuit court's order granting Builders FirstSource's (BFS) motion for summary judgment on D.R. Horton's claim for contractual indemnification and contribution. D.R. Horton argues on appeal the circuit court erred by 1) reading additional terms into the indemnification agreement, 2) finding it was equitably estopped from pursuing its contractual rights, 3) finding it was collaterally estopped from asserting its contractual rights, 4) finding the indemnification clause violated section 32-3-10 of the South Carolina Code, and 5) finding that it did not sustain tort liability. We affirm.

1-17-2018 - Opinions

5530 - Scott v. Scott

Michael Scott appeals the family court's order dismissing his outstanding child support arrearage that accumulated after the date he was deemed disabled by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and ordering him to pay his outstanding arrearage that accumulated before his disability. On appeal, Scott argues the family court erred because (1) the finding of disability by the SSA constituted a change in circumstances; (2) the money awarded from the SSA should offset his child support obligations; and (3) it failed to properly keep and file documents submitted as evidence. We affirm.

1-24-2018 - Opinions

5531 - Burgess v. Arnold

In this child custody action, Brooke L. Arnold (Mother) seeks review of the family court's order awarding Maxie Burgess (Father) primary custody of their eight-year-old son (Son) should Mother relocate to Florida. Mother argues the family court erred by (1) creating a custody arrangement that penalizes Mother for relocating to Florida; (2) applying an initial custody analysis rather than a change-in-circumstances analysis; and (3) imposing a joint custody arrangement based on a finding that the parties had been operating under a joint custody arrangement prior to Father's filing of this action. In Father's cross-appeal, he challenges the family court's ruling that automatically reinstates Mother's primary custodian status if she returns to South Carolina after relocating to Florida. Father argues a substantial change in circumstances must be shown before the family court may change custody and the family court did not have jurisdiction to make such a ruling. We reverse and remand.

1-31-2018 - Opinions

5532 - First Citizens Bank v. Blue Ox

In this cross-appeal, J. Chris Lindgren appeals the Master-in-Equity's ruling permitting First Citizens Bank and Trust Company, Inc. (the Bank) to attach postjudgment contributions made to his Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to satisfy the Bank's judgment against him. The Bank appeals the portion of the Master's order finding postjudgment contributions Lindgren made to his 401(k) retirement plan were exempt from execution. We affirm in part and reverse in part.