Maricopa County Court Upholds $414K Workers' Comp Lien
One driver was injured in a car accident while working. The injured driver sought to settle a claim with the insurance company for his employer. The insurance company and the injured driver disputed the amount owed for a lien. The case went to court to determine the correct lien amount.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Settlement
- Amount
- $1,550,000
- County
- Maricopa County, AZ
- Resolved
- 2014
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Other
- Accident Type
- Other
- Case Type
- Economic Injury
Settlement Context
This settlement of $1,550,000 is above the median of $11,429 for other cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $4,710 to $30,000, based on 82 cases in our database.
Case Overview
A minister and grief counselor for a Phoenix hospice care service was injured in a serious car accident in September 2010 while acting within the scope of employment. The employer's workers' compensation carrier, Sentry Insurance, approved the plaintiff's settlement of a third-party claim for $1.55 million in May 2011.
In April 2013, the plaintiff prepared to pay Sentry Insurance an initially claimed lien amount of $398,213.03. However, the defendant informed the plaintiff that the lien had increased to $414,282.96. After attempts to resolve the dispute failed, the plaintiff filed a complaint in Arizona Superior Court for Maricopa County in July 2013, seeking a declaratory judgment on the correct amount owed. Sentry Insurance filed a counterclaim, asserting its entitlement to the full, increased lien amount.
The parties filed cross-motions for summary judgment. In July 2014, the court ruled in favor of Sentry Insurance, finding that no time limit applied to lien rights under state law. The court ordered the plaintiff to pay the increased lien amount, a judgment that was later affirmed on appeal.
Understanding This Case
- This case was resolved through a settlement, avoiding the uncertainty and expense of a trial. Settlements typically resolve faster and provide guaranteed compensation.
- This case was resolved in Maricopa County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2014, this case reflects the legal and economic conditions of that period, including medical costs, insurance practices, and jury award trends at the time.
VerdictlyTM Score
This outcome differs from typical similar cases
This score is calculated by analyzing injury type, accident details, geographic location, temporal trends, and comparing against 2,000+ similar cases in our database.
Want to check your case value?
Get a free case evaluation to understand what your motor vehicle accident case might be worth based on cases like this in Maricopa County.
Similar cases you may find useful
Handpicked by matching injury type, accident details, and outcome to this case.
One driver rear-ended another vehicle stopped at a red light. The driver who was hit filed a lawsuit seeking damages for medical expenses and pain and suffering. The parties reached a settlement agreement.
One driver's pickup truck was struck from behind by another pickup truck. This happened shortly after the first pickup truck was struck by a third vehicle. The driver of the first pickup truck claimed an injury. The second pickup truck sustained significant damage.
One driver was proceeding through an intersection when their vehicle collided with another vehicle making a left turn. The injured driver claimed injuries to their back and neck. The case involved a claim against the injured driver's own insurer for underinsured motorist benefits after an initial settlement with the at-fault driver's insurer.
One driver was stopped at a stop sign when their pickup truck was struck from behind by another pickup truck. The driver and a passenger in the first truck claimed injuries. The passenger's claim was settled before trial. The driver's claim proceeded to trial, where the jury found the second driver liable for the accident.
One driver stopped their vehicle on a highway when the other driver struck them from behind at a high speed. The impact caused the driver to hit their head and briefly lose consciousness. The injured driver claimed the accident caused a brain injury, preventing them from completing college studies, and also affected their ability to care for their young son. The other driver admitted to the collision but disputed the extent and cause of the injuries.
Explore More Cases Like This
Browse similar cases by injury type and location to get a better understanding of case values in your area.