Opinion ID: 518423
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Liberty Mutual's Entitlement to Reimbursement for Compensation Benefits Paid

Text: 40 As we have already discussed, Masinter was entitled to the benefits available under the LHCWA through operation of Sec. 4 of the OCSLA. The parties stipulated that Liberty Mutual had paid compensation and medical benefits to or on behalf of Masinter in the amount of $59,320.32. The LHWCA does not expressly provide that a compensation carrier may recoup its disbursements from judgment proceeds. However, we have held that the employer has a subrogation right to be reimbursed from the worker's net recovery to the extent of the compensation benefits it has paid. Peters v. North River Insurance Co. of Morristown, New Jersey, 764 F.2d 306, 312 (5th Cir.1985). In the present case the insurer, not the employer, paid the benefits. Nevertheless, Sec. 33(h) of the LHCWA entitles a carrier who has made compensation payments to be subrogated to any rights available to the employer under Sec. 933. We therefore hold that Liberty Mutual is entitled to recoup its compensation payments from Masinter's net recovery. 3