Texas high court disallows unfair settlement claim against workers comp insurer

Injured employees cannot sue workers compensation underwriters for violating a portion of Texas’ Insurance Code that addresses unfair claims settlement practices on the part of insurers, the Texas Supreme Court has ruled. Friday’s decision in Texas Mutual Insurance Co. vs. Timothy J. Ruttiger involved a worker who claimed he was injured while carrying pipe in 2004. But a co-worker testified that Mr. Ruttiger may have been injured playing softball, and a disagreement with Texas Mutual ensued and benefits payments were delayed.