Thick v. Lapeer Metal Products

At issue in this case is whether a non-settling insurance carrier in a workers’ compensation case may offset its liability by the amount of the settlement paid by a second carrier for injuries determined to be covered solely by the non-settling carrier. Both the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board and the Court of Appeals refused to allow such a credit, and the non-settling carrier appeals. We reverse.

I

Plaintiff Marilyn B. Thick suffered a lower back injury in April, 1969, while employed by defendant Lapeer Metal Products Company. The injury necessitated disc surgery and resulted in some time…