Can Workers Comp Claims Be Settled as Part of Global Settlement & Release?
After working for just over five hours, Raymond was injured. She filed a workers’ comp claim and an intentional tort case against Shaker Produce. Despite protests by Shaker Produce, the workers’ comp claim was allowed. During the course of the intentional tort case, Raymond signed a “Full and Final General Release.” It is unclear whether the release specifically mentioned the allowed workers’ comp claim. Shaker Produce then argued that the general release included the workers’ comp claim, and therefore the BWC should close the claim. The court ruled otherwise, however, stating that the settlement was neither submitted to, nor actually approved by, the BWC. Raymond v. Shaker Produce, Inc..
