Judge Can Compel Special Disability Fund to Approve Worker's 3rd-Party Settlement

New York's highest court ruled that a trial judge can compel the state Special Disability Fund to retroactively grant approval for a worker's settlement with a third-party tortfeasor. Case: Ace Underwriters Insurance Co. v. Special Funds Conservation Committee, No. 177, 11/22/2016, published. Facts and Procedural History: A Coca-Cola Bottling Co. employee suffered a work-related injury in March 2007 and began collecting benefits from the Ace Fire Underwriters Insurance Co., the comp carrier for Coca-Cola. The Workers' Compensation Board found that the employee had a permanent pa...