Hartford Accident & Indemnity Co. v. Atlantic Research Corp.

In this case, which is before us for further appellate review, we are asked to decide whether, under G. L. c. 152, § 15,1 the Superior Court had jurisdiction to approve a settlement in an action by a workers’ compensation insurer against the third party allegedly liable for the employee’s injuries. The Appeals Court, Burke v. Atlantic Research Corp., 18 Mass. App. Ct. 497 (1984), concluded that the settlement was reached prior to rather than during trial and that therefore the Superior Court lacked jurisdiction. We affirm the judgment of the Superior Court.

The third-party action arose out of…