O.C.G.A. § 44-14-381 (2019)

Annotations

JUDICIAL DECISIONS O.C.G.A. § 44-14-381 is strictly construed. Richardson v. Langston & Crane, 68 Ga. 658, 1882 Ga. LEXIS 78 (1882).

Trust estate is subject to a lien under O.C.G.A. § 44-14-381. Ricks v. Redwine, 73 Ga. 273, 1884 Ga. LEXIS 115 (1884).

Laborer’s lien may be asserted by mechanic. - Mechanic who personally performs manual labor upon property of employer is not limited to a mechanic’s lien under O.C.G.A. § 44-14-363 but may at the mechanic’s option assert a laborer’s lien under O.C.G.A. §§ 44-14-380 or 4414-381. Adams v. Goodrich, 55 Ga. 233, 1875 Ga. LEXIS 387 (1875); Hilley v. Lunsford, 29 Ga. App. 398, 115 S.E. 667, 1923 Ga. App. LEXIS 29 (1923). O.C.G.A. § 44-14-381 does not apply to goods repaired. Lanier v. Bailey, 120 Ga. 878, 48 S.E. 324, 1904 Ga. LEXIS 731 (1904). Independent contractors, as well as employees, may assert a special laborer’s lien. Slappey v. Slappey, 296 Ga. App. 773, 676 S.E.2d 283, 2009 Ga. App. LEXIS 333 (2009). Clerical worker not entitled to laborer’s lien. - In a simple suit by a clerical employee for an alleged unpaid salary, employee is entitled to neither a general laborer’s lien, nor a special laborer’s lien, if it is shown that no manual labor was involved. United Bonded Whse., Inc. v. Jackson, 207 Ga. 627, 63 S.E.2d 666, 1951 Ga. LEXIS 493 (1951). Laborer’s lien applies only to employer’s property. - Special lien given by O.C.G.A. § 44-14-381 to laborers, on the product of their labor, attaches to the property of their employers only. Jonas v. Central Ga. Lumber Co., 35 Ga. App. 172, 132 S.E. 236, 1926 Ga. App. LEXIS 608 (1926). Amount does not include price for using laborer’s property. - Lien given to laborers under O.C.G.A. § 44-14-381 arises only for the amount due for the work done, and does not include hire for use of laborer’s property. Cox v. Cagle, 112 Ga. 157, 37 S.E. 176, 1900 Ga. LEXIS 81 (1900). Laborer not entitled to employer’s property where not product of labor. - Special lien of a laborer applies only to the products of labor, and the foreclosure

of such lien will not entitle the laborer to participate in the proceeds of other personal property before the court for distribution. Boyce v. Poore, 84 Ga. 574, 10 S.E. 1094, 1890 Ga. LEXIS 290 (1890). Plaintiff in execution must show defendant has title or possession. - Possession by the lienholder is proper, and if there is no contradiction thereof by the claimant, the plaintiff in execution carries the burden of proof to show either title or possession of defendant in execution. Jones v. Major, 83 Ga. App. 78, 62 S.E.2d 729, 1950 Ga. App. LEXIS 1031 (1950). Landlord’s crop lien superior to laborer’s lien, absent contrary agreement. - Landlord’s lien has priority on the proceeds of crops grown on rented premises over a laborer’s lien on the same unless there be some conflicting agreement such as might operate to interfere with the general rule. Nelson v. Fuqua, 46 Ga. App. 754, 169 S.E. 206, 1933 Ga. App. LEXIS 230 (1933). Parent who planted could not assert lien. - As a farmer’s parent planted and picked cotton and did not oversee others while others performed these tasks, the parent was a “laborer” for purposes of O.C.G.A. § 44-14-381. Slappey v. Slappey, 296 Ga. App. 773, 676 S.E.2d 283, 2009 Ga. App. LEXIS 333 (2009). Lien against a farmer’s crop. - As O.C.G.A. § 44-14-550 contemplated that at the initial probable cause hearing, the trial court would inquire as to whether the plaintiff had put forth facts necessary to constitute a laborer’s lien and the amount due, the trial court did not err in reviewing the facts of the case in order to determine whether there was probable cause to believe a laborer could validly assert a special lien against a farmer’s crop for the debt under O.C.G.A. § 44-14-381. Slappey v. Slappey, 296 Ga. App. 773, 676 S.E.2d 283, 2009 Ga. App. LEXIS 333 (2009).

RESEARCH REFERENCES Am. Jur. 2d. 51 Am. Jur. 2d, Liens, §§ 8, 10.

C.J.S. 53 C.J.S., Liens, § 1.

ALR. Priority as between landlord’s lien on chattels and chattel mortgage, 37 A.L.R. 400; 52 A.L.R. 935.

Priority of lien of sales or consumers’ tax, 136 A.L.R. 1015.