PFL Life Insurance Co. v. Franklin

OPALA, Justice.

¶ 1 The dispositive issues tendered on certiorari are: (1) May the Workers’ Compensation Court [WCC] affect in whole or in part, directly or obliquely, the compensation-payment liability of an absent earlier insurance carrier of the respondent-employer? and if not (2) Is the trial tribunal’s award of medical expenses and temporary total disability, which is to be paid by the current rather than by the earlier insurer, supported by competent evidence? We answer the first question in the negative and the second in the affirmative.

¶ 2 Tammy Franklin [Franklin or claimant] sought…