Liberty Mutual Insurance v. Whitehouse

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

TORRES, District Judge.

This is an action to declare void and to enjoin enforcement of a Rhode Island statute that requires payment of annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to workers’ compensation recipients who have been totally disabled for more than 52 weeks. The plaintiffs, three affiliated insurance companies (collectively referred to as “Liberty”) contend that, to the extent the statute requires COLA payments to individuals injured prior to its effective date, it violates the Contracts, Due Process and Takings Clauses of the United States Constitution. The case…