Catholic Healthcare West v. California Insurance Guarantee Ass'n

Opinion

ARDAIZ, P. J.

In 1985, a nurse working at a hospital suffered a back injury in the course of her employment. By September 2004, approximately $1.6 million had been paid on the nurse’s workers’ compensation claim for wage indemnity, medical care, and vocational rehabilitation. The nurse’s employer paid the first $150,000 under the self-insured retention on its excess workers’ compensation insurance policy. By the time the retention was exceeded, the insurance company was insolvent and, consequently, the employer continued to pay for the nurse’s medical care.

The employer or an affiliate…