Okaloosa County BOCC — November 15, 2016 — Approval of Gary Marelli's Workers' Compensation Settlement — agenda request

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: November 15, 2016 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Laura Porter SUBJECT: Approval of Gary Marelli's Workers' Compensation Settlement DEPARTMENT: Risk Management BCC DISTRICT: ALL STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Request approval of a Workers’ Compensation claim settlement for Gary Marelli. BACKGROUND: On July 8, 1996, Gary Marelli, a former employee of the Okaloosa County Road Department, suffered a work related injury. Mr. Marelli has received extensive medical treatment over the years. The expenses incurred on this claim have exceeded the County’s workers’ compensation self-insured retention. The excess workers’ compensation insurance carrier, Midwest Employers Casualty, has negotiated a settlement of this claim for $350,000. While our third party administrator, Johns Eastern, will issue the settlement check, Midwest Employers Casualty will reimburse the total amount of the settlement. OPTIONS: The Commission can agree to approve the settlement or provide further direction. RECOMMENDATIONS: As Okaloosa County has reached its limit of liability and the excess insurer is solely responsible for this claim, Okaloosa County has a duty to not unreasonably refuse to consent to settlement. Request the Board approve the settlement and authorize the Chairman to sign the settlement agreement on behalf of the Board. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: John Hofstad, County Administrator