The Workers’ Compensation Act provides that an employee’s workers’ compensation claim may be resolved, in whole or in part, through a Compromise and Release of your workers’ compensation benefits.  “Compromise and Release” is the name given to the settlement documents when you settle your claim.  The settlement is referred to as a “C&R”.

C&R settlements provide you with a lump sum payment in exchange for some, or all, of your workers’ compensation benefits.  A lump sum settlement may include future workers compensation payments for lost wages, future medical benefits, or both.  Typically, most insurance companies want a full and final settlement of your claim, including both wage claims and medical claims.

Any C&R settlement is binding and cannot be set-aside or re-opened.

If you are receiving benefits, you need to fully understand the impact(s) of resolving your claim through a C&R.

As noted, most C&Rs result in a full release from liability to all claims arising out of a given injury.  However, in some instances, the insurance company may want to settle only a portion of your claim. Examples of a partial compromise or settlement of your claim may include:

• Release of liability for your ongoing wage payments only, leaving your claim to continued treatments open for a period of time.
• Release of liability for normal benefits, reserving a claim for serious and willful misconduct of the employer, or vice versa.
• Release of the insurance carrier only, when insurance coverage is in doubt, reserving the right to proceed against the employer.
• Release of less than all of the employers or insurance companies in a cumulative injury or occupational disease case.

Any agreement to settle your Workers’ Compensation claim through a C&R is not valid or binding until a Workers’ Compensation Judge approves the settlement.  Once approved, a valid C&R agreement is final and binding on the parties.

The decision to settle your Workers’ Compensation claim through a C&R is serious.  You must fully comprehend what you are receiving in the settlement and what rights you are giving up.  If you are considering a settlement of your Workers’ Compensation claim, please contact Stark & Stark’s Workers’ Compensation attorneys immediately to discuss your rights.