Court Opinion

ID: 9600667
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 01:29:52.08519+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:01:53.588994
License: Public Domain

PETERS, J., concurring.
Under existing law the main opinion is sound. The Legislature has spoken, and, under the facts, the determination is conclusive. But I feel impelled to call to the attention of the Legislature that the policy it has adopted may lead, and in the instant case has led, to inequitable results.
This plaintiff, a state employee, was injured in the course of his employment as a result of the negligence of a third person. He suffered serious and permanent injuries, and also suffered a substantial amount of pain and suffering. He brought a tort action against the third person, and, purely as a result of his efforts, recovered a $62,000 judgment for such injuries, including, presumably, a substantial award for pain and suffering. He received workmen’s compensation and was compelled to retire because of his disability. He received and will receive retirement benefits. Because of the provisions of the Government Code referred to in the main opinion, the liens of the compensation carrier and of the State Employees ’ Retirement System will entirely consume the $62,000 judgment. As a result, plaintiff will receive no benefit at all from his tort action against the tortfeasor. He will receive not one penny for his pain and suffering. So far as he is concerned, he should never have filed the tort action. In the future, there will be no inducement for state employees in the position of plaintiff to file such actions. This result would not seem to be in accord with sound public policy. But it is what the Legislature has now provided. I suggest that the problem involved requires further legislative study in order to determine whether or not the obvious injustices of the present law should be alleviated by proper legislative action.