Opinion ID: 505524
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: A Settlement, But at Whose Expense?

Text: 8 Taylor received worker's compensation payments of $143,938.34 from INA under the Comp Policy. Taylor then brought a negligence action against the Vessel under LHWCA Sec. 33(a), 4 as permitted by LHWCA Sec. 5(b). 5 The Vessel settled Taylor's claims for $700,000.00 over and above the worker's compensation benefits already paid. 6 INA now seeks to enforce the employer's lien against Taylor. The Vessel opposes this claim, arguing that because Bunge, as owner of the Vessel, has agreed to indemnify Taylor against INA's subrogation claim, INA is actually suing its own insured, Bunge, which is prohibited by Louisiana and federal law.