NWCDN Members regularly post articles and summary judgements in workers’ compensations law in your state.
Select a state from the dropdown menu below to scroll through the state specific archives for updates and opinions on various workers’ compensation laws in your state.
Contact information for NWCDN members is also located on the state specific links in the event you have additional questions or your company is seeking a workers’ compensation lawyer in your state.
Rayford H. Taylor
Of Counsel
Casey Gilson P.C.
Six Concourse Parkway, Suite 2200
Atlanta, Georgia 30328
770-512-0300 -Ext. 529
770-512-0070 -Fax
rtaylor@caseygilson.com
www.caseygilson.com
SunTrust Bank v. Travelers Prop. Cas. Co. of Am., (03/28/2013)
The worker was injured in the course of his employment following a motor vehicle collision. He received workers' compensation benefits before filing suit against two third-party tortfeasors. Although the insurer timely intervened in the suit to protect its workers' compensation subrogation lien, the worker and the tortfeasors settled the case for a confidential lump sum without the insurer's knowledge, participation or consent. Among other terms, the settlement agreement included a conclusory statement that the proceeds of the settlement did not fully and completely compensate the worker for his injuries. The insurer filed its motion to enforce its subrogation lien, which the trial court granted.
On appeal, the estate administrator contended the trial court erred in finding the terms of the settlement agreement did not extinguish the insurer's right to enforce its subrogation lien. The court disagreed and held the insurer had the right to intervene and the trial court was required to conduct a hearing on whether the worker was fully compensated, so that the insurer could attempt to enforce its subrogation lien.
720428-1