For most of the history of automobile subrogation, determining who caused an accident has involved decidedly human questions. Who had the right-of-way? Who was speeding? Who ran the red light? Who failed to maintain a proper lookout? An automobile insurer pays its insured and then pursues the negligent third party responsible for the loss. Human…
Kentucky has not been kind to workers’ compensation subrogation. In our 2023 article, “The Ten Best and Ten Worst States for Subrogating”, we ranked Kentucky as the fifth-worst state in the country. We wrote: Only recently has Kentucky become a bad jurisdiction for workers’ compensation subrogation. It drops to No. 5 thanks to Arkansas being…
In a previous article I wrote, “When Cases Settle: Release Language, Indemnity, Hold Harmless, and Other Concerns” (see HERE), I warned subrogation professionals about the dangers lurking in the seemingly routine release that arrives after a claim is settled. A seven-page “standard release” can transform a simple subrogation recovery into an assumption of indemnity obligations…
Every experienced recovery professional understands the temptation. A plaintiff’s attorney acknowledges the lien, says it will be “protected,” and promises to deal with reimbursement when the injury claim resolves. The file appears to be under control. Everyone is communicating. No one is openly refusing to cooperate. But a recent Wisconsin Court of Appeals decision shows…