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Injured Employee's Recovery Election

Historically, when an employee was injured in the course of his employment, but at the hands of a negligent third party, he was technically able to pursue relief through both the workers' compensation system and a third-party action. Though not able to receive a double recovery, the employee was technically eligible to recover under either theory. However, strict election rules required that he choose which theory of recovery he would pursue, even if his "choice" ultimately left him with no compensation at all. For example, the injured employee elects to proceed with a third-party action, thereby foregoing workers' compensation, but ends up losing the third-party action.

Uninsured Motorist Insurance, No-Fault Insurance

and Workers' Compensation)

Insurance Carrier Conflict of Interest

In the arena of workers' compensation and subrogation, the employee may be significantly impacted by the workers' compensation carrier's conflict of interest. The most negative impact would be found in those states denying the injured employee the right to maintain an action against the third party who actually caused his injury. Essentially, the carrier's principle conflict would arise when it is not only the employer's workers' compensation carrier but also the liability carrier for the third party. When this happens, the carrier's interest in paying as little as possible for the claim may be in competition with the employee's right to receive the best recovery possible.

Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act

The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act is a federal law that provides medical, disability, and death benefits for longshoremen, harbor workers, and other marine employees who are injured or killed in the course of their employment. The Act is administered by the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs of the Employment Standards Administration of the United States Department of Labor.

Overpayments of Social Security Disability Benefits

An overpayment of social security disability benefits arises when the Social Security Administration has paid the recipient in excess of the amount that was actually due. The Commissioner of Social Security is authorized to collect the overpayment either by reducing the recipient's future payments, requiring the recipient or his estate to repay the excess amount, or by reducing the recipient's tax refund by the excess amount.