Judge Errs in Enforcing Lien Against Worker's Lump-Sum Settlement

The Georgia Court of Appeals ruled that a trial judge erred in enforcing a carrier’s lien against a worker’s lump-sum settlement in a third-party action. Case: McLeod v. BITCO Insurance Cos., No. A25A1362, 10/22/2025, published. Facts and procedural history: Gregory McLeod sued several parties for damages arising out of a motor vehicle accident. BITCO Insurance Cos. provided workers’ compensation coverage to McLeod’s employer, and it intervened in the civil action to assert its subrogation rights. McLeod eventually settled his civil action for a lump sum of $32...