Carrier's Use of Conditional Endorsements on Settlement Checks Didn't Warrant Award of Penalties

A Louisiana appellate court ruled that a worker was not entitled to an award of attorney fees and penalties from his employer’s insurance carrier just because the carrier had sent him two settlement checks containing conditional endorsements. Case: Zinn v. Zagis USA LLC, No. 19-773, 04/23/2020, published. Facts and procedural history: Walter Zinn allegedly sustained an eye injury in 2016 while employed by Zagis USA LLC. Zagis agreed to pay Zinn $40,000 to settle the claim. The workers’ compensation insurance carrier for Zagis sent two checks to Zinn’s attorney as payment o...