Northwestern Ohio Building & Construction Trades Council v. Conrad

The majority finds the historical and dedicated purpose of the State Insurance Fund (“SIF”) too “narrow” and “cramped” for its liking. Consequently, the majority approves the diversion of $140 million per year for administrative fees and performance bonuses to organizational claims managers from a trust fund that was established for injured workers. The SIF is the tangible representation of the essential compensation bargain that forms the workers’ compensation system. It is constitutionally conceived, statutorily established, and judicially recognized as a trust fund for the benefit of…