Farmers Insurance v. Ownby

In November of 1974, Robert Ownby, the driver of a car, and his passenger, Griffin Ownby, were injured in a single-car accident in California. Each received personal injury protection payments from Farmers Insurance Company (Farmers), Robert Ownby’s insurer. In February of 1975, the Ownbys became aware of their right to workmen’s compensation benefits for lost wages and filed claims in California. While the Own-bys’ claims were pending, Farmers attempted to file a lien in those proceedings on any award to be granted. The California workmen’s compensation judge denied the lien pursuant to a…