Farmers Insurance Group v. State Accident Insurance Fund

Farmers Insurance Group (petitioner) seeks review of a Workers’ Compensation Board order holding it responsible to respondent Dolly Pitts (claimant) for survivor’s benefits related to the death of her husband, Herschel. Herschel died of lung cancer caused in part by his exposure to asbestos while working for respondents Kaiser Cement & Gypsum and its predecessor, Firtex. Petitioner asserts that SAIF did not request board review of an adverse referee’s decision within the proper time, that claimant filed her claim too late and, on the merits, that SAIF rather than petitioner is responsible. We…