Patnode v. Lyon's Food Products, Inc.

The chief issues in this case involve the apportionment of liability between successive insurers for payment of a workers’ compensation award and the assessment against the insurers of the employee’s attorneys fees.

In February 1975 Ida Patnode filed a claim petition against, her former employer, Lyon’s Food Products, Inc., and Insurance Company of North America (I.N.A.), seeking compensation for temporary, total disability from February 17, 1972. State Automobile Casualty Underwriters (State Aiito), Lyon’s insurer prior to July 1, 1970, was also joined as .a party. The compensation judge and,…