Luzerne County Controller Questioning Workers’ Comp Settlements to County Employees

This week, the Citizen’s Voice reported that the Luzerne County Controller was questioning workers’ compensation settlements made to county workers this year. Those settlements have totalled $277,000.

One settlement that the controller questioned was for $100,000. It was given to a sheriff’s office employee.

The county’s controller feels that the settlements aren’t valid without approval from county council. The county’s home-rule charter, which began on Jan. 2 of this year, gives council the authority to approve recommendations to initiate and settle litigation.

However, the chief solicitor said that the county’s contract with Exaclibur Insurance gives the insurance company the authority to settle workers’ comp claims and that council’s approval is not needed.

In the article, the controller said, “This matter needs to be investigated immediately and appropriate action taken by the County Council.”