Michael F. Easley, Governor Buck Lattimore, Chairman Stephen T. Gheen |
Bernadine S. Ballance,
Commissioner Thomas J. Bolch, Commissioner Laura K. Mavretic, Commissioner Christopher Scott, Commissioner Dianne C. Sellers, Commissioner Pamela T. Young, Commissioner |
North Carolina
Industrial Commission
MEMORANDUM
TO: All Interested Parties
FROM: Stephen T. Gheen, Chief Deputy Commissioner
DATE: February 22, 2004
RE: P.H. Glatfelter/RFS Ecusta Claims in North Carolina (Update)
The Full Commission has issued an Opinion and Award on February 12, 2004 in the following case:
I.C. NO. 944502, JAMES GOODSON, Employee, Plaintiff, and N.C. DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE, ex rel. JAMES LONG, Commissioner, Intervenor v. RFS ECUSTA, Assuming Employer, and P.H. GLATFELTER CO., Original Self-Insured Employer, and N.C. SELF-INSURANCE GUARANTY ASSOCIATION (NOW DISMISSED), Defendants. OPINION AND AWARD for the Full Commission by LAURA KRANIFELD MAVRETIC, Commissioner, N.C. Industrial Commission. Filed 12 February 2004. |
A copy of the decision is posted on our web site and may be accessed by searching on our Livelink database: http://www.comp.state.nc.us/ncichome.htm#livelink. On the User Log-In To: Livelink screen, type public in all lowercase letters in the Username: text box, and press the Enter key. There is no Password. On the Livelink Search [Public] screen, set the Full Text Look For: text box to Exact Phrase and type 944502 as your search term. For Scope: of search, select Full Commission. To initiate the search, click the Search button. (Note: The latest O&A on this claim is 944502o3.doc.)
A copy of the Full Commission’s Opinion and Award may also be found at
the conclusion of this memorandum.
The Full Commission’s Opinion & Award
provides in pertinent part that:
1.
Glatfelter is hereby ORDERED to make payment of disability compensation
and medical compensation for the admittedly compensable workers’ compensation
claim.
2.
Since the purpose of the surety bond being held by the Commissioner of
Insurance of the State of North Carolina was to insure Glatfelter’s workers’
compensation obligations, the bond monies should be available for that purpose
and therefore the parties were ordered to immediately take the necessary steps
to effectuate the underlying purpose for which the bond was issued.
3. Glatfelter was ORDERED to pay compensation pending appeal to the North Carolina Court of Appeals. In the event that Glatfelter is not ultimately liable for the amount paid, the employer/carrier found ultimately responsible shall be ordered to reimburse Glatfelter for compensation paid to plaintiff.
The parties have thirty days in which to appeal the Opinion and Award of the Full Commission to the North Carolina Court of Appeals. If an appeal is not taken within the time period provided by law, hearings of cases at the Deputy Commissioner Section will immediately resume. If an appeal is taken, one or more parties may seek a stay of the Full Commission’s Order that Glatfelter pay compensation benefits during the appeal. Based upon any order by the North Carolina Appeals a decision will be made whether or not cases can proceed to hearing at the Deputy Commissioner Section level.
Claimants or other interested persons with questions should contact the
Industrial Commission by contacting: Stephen T. Gheen, Chief Deputy
Commissioner, 919-807-2540 or gheen@ind.commerce.state.nc.us.
Due to the volume of inquiries, email communication is requested if possible,
though not required.
STG:avb
I.C. NO. 944502, JAMES GOODSON, Employee,
Plaintiff, and N.C. DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE, ex rel. JAMES LONG, Commissioner,
Intervenor v. RFS ECUSTA, Assuming Employer, and P.H. GLATFELTER CO., Original
Self-Insured Employer, and N.C. SELF-INSURANCE GUARANTY ASSOCIATION (NOW
DISMISSED), Defendants. OPINION AND AWARD for the Full Commission by LAURA
KRANIFELD MAVRETIC, Commissioner, N.C. Industrial Commission. Filed 12
February 2004.
This case was heard by the Full Commission on October 21, 2003 upon
appeal of defendants from an Opinion and Award by Deputy Commissioner George R.
Hall, III filed June 5, 2003. This claim was originally heard by Deputy
Commissioner Hall on December 19, 2002 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
A
P P E A R A N C E S
Plaintiff:
Neill S. Fuleihan, Attorney, Brevard, North Carolina, appearing.
Timothy L. Finger, Attorney, Waynesville, North Carolina, appearing.
Intervenor:
Honorable Roy Cooper, Attorney General of North Carolina, Raleigh, North
Carolina; Clementine Peterson, Assistant Attorney General, appearing for
Department of Insurance.
Defendants:
Young, Moore & Henderson, Attorneys, Raleigh, North Carolina; J. D.
Prather and Robert Paschal, appearing for P. H. Glatfelter Company.
Stuart Law Firm, Attorneys, Raleigh, North Carolina; Catherine R. Stuart
and Charles C. Kyles, appearing for North Carolina Self Insurance Guaranty
Association.
Bankruptcy Trustee: Alala,
Mullen, Holland & Cooper, Gastonia, North Carolina; H. Randolph Sumner,
appearing for Langdon M. Cooper, Trustee of the Bankruptcy Estate.
*
* * * * * * * * * *
Upon review of all of the competent evidence of record with references to the errors assigned and the briefs of the parties, and finding no good grounds to reconsider the evidence, receive further evidence, rehear the parties or their representatives, the Full Commission AFFIRMS with some modifications the Opinion and Award of Deputy Commissioner Hall.
*
* * * * * * * * * *
The Full Commission finds as a fact and concludes as matters of law the
following, which were entered into by parties at the hearing before the Deputy
Commissioner as:
STIPULATIONS
1.
Plaintiff was employed by defendant P.H. Glatfelter Company (hereinafter
“Gladfelter”) from November 13, 1989 to August 9, 2001 and RFS Ecusta
(hereinafter “RFS”) from August 9, 2001 forward.
2. From June 24, 1987 to
August 9, 2001, Glatfelter, a Pennsylvania corporation, operated a paper mill in
Transylvania County, North Carolina, known as the Ecusta Division, which had
three or more employees at all relevant times.
3. Plaintiff/Intervenor
North Carolina Department of Insurance (hereinafter “NCDOI”) is the state
agency responsible for the licensing and regulation of self-insured employers
pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-165 et. seq.
4.
Defendant North Carolina Self-Insurance Guaranty Association (hereinafter
“NCSIGA”) is a statutorily created, nonprofit, unincorporated legal entity
pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-130 et seq. (hereinafter “Guaranty
Act”) created to pay only “covered claims” against insolvent member
self-insurers.
5.
The aforementioned parties are subject to and bound by the applicable
provisions of the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act and the Guaranty
Act.
6.
On May 23, 1999, plaintiff sustained an injury by accident arising out of
and in the course of his employment, which was admitted as a compensable injury
by Glatfelter.
7. On May 23, 1999, an
employee/employer relationship existed between plaintiff and Glatfelter.
8.
On May 23, 1999, Glatfelter was self-insured for its workers’
compensation liability.
9. Pursuant to a Form 60
filed May 23, 2000, a Form 62 filed August 3, 2001, and a Form 62 filed July 29,
2002, plaintiff was paid compensation for temporary total disability at the rate
of $440.11 per week.
10. Plaintiff’s
most recent period of compensation for temporary total disability paid pursuant
to an award of the Commission was from May 28, 2002 to September 30, 2002, at
which time RFS stopped payment without following statutory procedures to
terminate compensation.
11. The NCDOI, pursuant to Glatfelter’s application, afforded Glatfelter a license to self-insure as of January 7, 1992 and, thus, Glatfelter was deemed a member self-insurer of the NCSIGA in accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-131.
12. As
a requirement to be a self-insured employer in North Carolina, Glatfelter posted
a statutory deposit in the form of a surety bond, number 04S100046333BCA-18,
which was in the amount of $1.6 million.
13. On or about June 18, 2001,
Glatfelter informed the NCDOI that it was “in the process of selling its
Ecusta Division, along with the workers’ compensation liabilities.”
14. On
August 9, 2001, Glatfelter executed an Amended and Restated Acquisition
Agreement (hereinafter the “Agreement”) for the sale of its Ecusta Division,
which in pertinent part purportedly transferred the Glatfelter self-insured
workers’ compensation liabilities of certain Glatfelter employees, including
plaintiff, from Glatfelter to the purchaser[s] of the Ecusta Division.
15. On August 9, 2001, Glatfelter and RFS executed an Assumption Agreement, whereby RFS purported to assume the self-insured workers’ compensation liabilities of certain Glatfelter employees, including plaintiff.
16. On or about August 24, 2001, Ron
Ennis, Senior Financial Analyst with the NCDOI, confirmed receipt of a
certificate of deposit by RFS in the amount of $1.6 million to replace the
Travelers Surety Bond previously posted by Glatfelter and the NCDOI released the
Travelers Surety Bond.
17. Glatfelter requested the NCDOI terminate its license to self-insure and the NCDOI approved the request, terminating Glatfelter’s period of self-insurance effective August 24, 2001.
18. RFS
purchased workers’ compensation insurance for its employees for the period of
August 8, 2001 through September 23, 2003.
19. On October 23, 2002, RFS, U.S., Inc. and RFS Ecusta, Inc. filed a Chapter 11 Petition in Bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Case No. 02-13110 and 02-13111). By Order entered March 28, 2003 the Delaware Bankruptcy Court transferred the cases to the Western District of North Carolina.
20. Glatfelter is not now and has never been declared insolvent.
21. The NCDOI continues to hold the $1.6 million certificate of deposit to secure the workers’ compensation liabilities that arose during Glatfelter’s period of self-insurance.
22. The parties stipulated the following exhibits into the evidence of record at the hearing before the Deputy Commissioner:
a. Stipulated Exhibit 1- North Carolina Industrial Commission Form 60 dated May 23, 2000;
b. Stipulated Exhibit 2- North Carolina Industrial Commission Form 62 dated July 29, 2002;
c. Stipulated Exhibit 3- NCDOI Surety Bond No. 04S100046333BCA-18;
d. Stipulated Exhibit 4- Bowman correspondence to NCDOI dated June 18, 2001;
e. Stipulated Exhibit 5- Ennis correspondence to Bowman dated June 21, 2000;
f. Stipulated Exhibit 6- Certain pertinent parts of the Amended and Restated Acquisition Agreement dated August 9, 2001: (a) Introduction, Page 1, (b) Article I, Definitions, (c) Article II, Section 2.1, (d) Article II, Section 2.3, (e) Article V, Section 5.5, (f) Schedule 2.3(a), (g) Schedule 2.3(b), (h) Schedule 3.9, and (i) Schedule 5.5(a). Glatfelter reserved the right to authenticate and introduce the entire Agreement into the evidentiary record of this matter;
g. Stipulated Exhibit 7- Assumption Agreement dated August 9, 2001;
h. Stipulated Exhibit 8- Ennis to Bowman email correspondence dated August 24, 2001;
i. Stipulated Exhibit 9- Ennis correspondence to Bowman dated August 24, 2001;
j. Stipulated Exhibit 10- Summaries of RFS Insurance Policies from August 8, 2001 through September 23, 2003;
k. Stipulated Exhibit 11- Glatfelter’s self-insurance license effective January 17, 1992;
l. Stipulated Exhibit 12- Glatfelter’s Application for Certificate of Authority as a Foreign Corporation;
m. Stipulated Exhibit 13- Glatfelter’s Form 11-WC, Agreement and Undertaking of Employer Granted the Privilege of Paying Compensation as a Self-Insurer;
n. Stipulated Exhibit 14- North Carolina Industrial Commission Form 62 dated August 3, 2001;
o. Stipulated Exhibit 15- September 6, 2001 memorandum regarding August 2001 Status Report;
p. Stipulated Exhibit 16- October 2, 2001 memorandum regarding September 2001 Status Report;
q. Stipulated Exhibit 17- September 25, 2001 memorandum regarding Glatfelter termination of self-insured status;
r. Stipulated Exhibit 18- Subpoena for Ronald J. Ennis;
s. Stipulated Exhibit 19- Subpoena for Shirley Pennell;
t. Stipulated Exhibit 20- Subpoena for Paula Barnes;
u. Stipulated Exhibit 21- Revised schedule, Purchase Price Allocation Detail;
v. Stipulated Exhibit 22- Zoning and Site Requirements Summary;
w. Stipulated Exhibit 23- August 9, 2001 correspondence from counsel for Glatfelter to Purico Limited, RF & Son, Inc., RFS US Inc. and RFS Ecusta Inc.;
x. Stipulated Exhibit 24- correspondence from Dechert to Glatfelter.
23. The issues for determination by the Commission as stipulated by plaintiff, NCDOI and NCSIGA in the Pre-Trial Agreement are:
a. Whether the August 9, 2001, Amended and Restated Acquisition Agreement operated to relieve Glatfelter, in whole or in part, of its obligations created by Article I of the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act;
b. Whether Glatfelter is liable to plaintiff for payment of his workers’ compensation claim;
c. Whether Glatfelter is liable for the payment of workers’ compensation claims which arose during the period of its self-insurance;
d. Whether NCSIGA is liable for the payment of plaintiff’s workers’ compensation claim upon the default of RFS to pay the claim;
e. Does the default by RFS on the payment of workers’ compensation claims which arose during Glatfelter’s period of self-insurance impose any liability on NCSIGA; and
f. Whether, upon the posting of substitute security with the NCDOI and upon the resolution of any bankruptcy issues with regard to RFS, the $1.6 million statutory deposit being held by NCDOI is available for payment of Glatfelter’s workers’ compensation claims, which arose during its period of self-insurance.
24. Glatfelter contends that the contested issues are those set out in Chief Deputy Commissioner Steve Gheen’s December 3, 2002 Order:
a. Whether Glatfelter and/or NCSIGA is liable for the payment of workers’ compensation claims upon the default of RFS to pay claims; and
b. Whether the statutory security deposit being held by the NCDOI is available for the payment of claims.
*
* * * * * * * * * *
Based upon all of the competent evidence of record the Full Commission
makes the following:
FINDINGS
OF FACT
1. During the period of
June 24, 1987 to August 9, 2001, Glatfelter operated a paper mill in
Transylvania County, North Carolina, known as the Ecusta Division, which had
three or more employees at all relevant times. Plaintiff worked for Glatfelter
from November 13, 1989 to August 9, 2001.
2. The NCDOI is the
state agency responsible for the licensing and regulation of self-insured
employers pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-165, et seq. NCSIGA is a
statutorily created, nonprofit, unincorporated legal entity pursuant to N.C.
Gen. Stat. §97-130, et seq., created to pay “covered claims” against
insolvent self-insurers.
3. The North Carolina
Industrial Commission, created by statute, is primarily an administrative agency
of the State, charged with the duty of administering the Workers’ Compensation
Act pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-77, et seq.
4. On January 17, 1992,
Glatfelter was licensed to self-insure its workers’ compensation liabilities.
Glatfelter posted the requisite statutory bond in the form of a commercial
surety bond issued by Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America in the
amount of $1.6 million. Glatfelter was self-insured from January 17, 1992
through August 24, 2001 and a member of the NCSIGA, which subjected it to
assessments pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-165, et seq.
5. On May 23, 1999,
plaintiff sustained an injury by accident arising out of and in the course of
his employment, which was admitted as a compensable injury by Glatfelter on a
Form 60 filed May 23, 2000. Pursuant to the Form 60, a Form 62 filed August 3,
2001, and a Form 62 filed July 29, 2002, plaintiff was paid temporary total
disability compensation at the rate of $440.11 per week. Plaintiff has received
no disability compensation since September 30, 2002.
6.
By letter dated June 18, 2001, to Ronald Ennis, Senior Financial Analyst
with the NCDOI, Donald Bowman, Corporate Insurance and Credit Manager for
Glatfelter, stated that, “The P.H. Glatfelter Company is in the process of
selling its Ecusta Division along with the Workers’ Compensation
liabilities. After the sale we will no longer want or need to be
Self-Insured in the State of North Carolina for Workers’ Compensation and
therefore would like to cancel the Surety Bond we now have.” [Emphasis
added] Mr. Bowman also said, “In addition, I would appreciate if you would
let me know exactly what, if anything else is needed from us to withdraw from
being Self-Insured.”
7.
In a June 21, 2000 [sic] letter from Mr. Ennis to Mr. Bowman,
regarding Glatfelter’s termination of their self-insured status, Mr. Ennis
responded, “According to your letter the North Carolina division of the
Company is being acquired by a third party that is assuming all past workers’
compensation liabilities accrued during the Company’s operation of the
division.” Mr. Ennis further stated,
“The surety bond that you have in place may be
cancelled by giving the Commissioner [of Insurance] 60 days written notice.
The Surety will remain liable for all obligations and liabilities of the
Principal that arose under Chapter 97 of the North Carolina General Statutes. If
the acquiring company provides a replacement bond, then the Department
will release the Surety Company of any past, present or future liabilities.”
[Emphasis added]
8.
RFS posted a $1.6 million bond with the NCDOI.
9. In an August 24, 2001
email message from Mr. Ennis to Mr. Bowman, Mr. Ennis stated,
“The NC Department of Insurance received confirmation that RFS Ecusta
made a deposit in the amount of $1,600,000 to the Department’s correspondent
bank to secure the assumption of the liabilities of PH Glatfelter worker’s [sic]
compensation reserve loss claims. In connection therewith, liability is
discharged for all past, present, existing and potential liability for the
Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America, under surety bond
04S100046333BCA-18 effective August 24, 2001, with PH Glatfelter Company as
Principal. I will provide to you the original bond and corresponding
endorsements in a mailing next week. This also is notification that PH
Glatfelter has voluntary [sic] terminated their status as a Self-Insured
Employer in the state of North Carolina effective August 24, 2001. If you
have any questions call me at 919.733.5633 ext. 250.” [Emphasis added]
10. Glatfelter’s bond was released
by the NCDOI and returned to Glatfelter with the August 24, 2001 letter from Mr.
Ennis.
11. The NCDOI never asked Glatfelter
to deposit a special release bond.
12. Mr. Bowman mistakenly believed that Glatfelter was released from all of its workers’ compensation liabilities when the NCDOI accepted the $1.6 million certificate of deposit from RFS as substitution for Glatfelter’s bond. However, when asked if he was ever directly informed that Glatfelter’s obligations as an employer in North Carolina were fully discharged under the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act, Mr. Bowman testified, “I don’t recall getting anything saying that we were discharged . . . .”
13. The NCDOI did not have the
authority to release Glatfelter from liability for its self-insured workers’
compensation claims existing as of August 24, 2001. While Mr. Ennis testified
that he did not release Glatfelter from its liabilities under the North Carolina
Workers’ Compensation Act for existing claims, his September 25, 2001
memorandum to Jo Ann Thorpe, head of the Statistics Section of the Industrial
Commission, reveals that he attempted to exercise authority he did not have. Mr.
Ennis’s memorandum reads,
“P.H. Glatfelter Company, Inc. recently sold their
North Carolina affiliate to RFS Ecusta, a non self-insured employer. Effective
August 24, 2001 RFS Escuta [sic] assumed P.H. Glatfelter’s
outstanding workers’ compensation claim liabilities in reference with the
sale. In connection therewith, P.H. Glatfelter Company terminated their status
as self-insured in North Carolina and RFS Escuta [sic] is the sole
entity responsible for P.H. Glatfelter’s open claims.” [Emphasis
added]
14. The
NCDOI, through its Senior Financial Analyst Ennis, allowed a substitution of
security by permitting the release of Travelers Surety Bond, thereby releasing
Travelers from the liability of its principal, Glatfelter, by means of
substitution of RFS’s $1.6 million certificate of deposit. Mr. Ennis did not
require Glatfelter to post a special release bond issued by a corporate surety
upon Glatfelter’s cessation as a self-insured employer under the Act on August
24, 2001.
15. Mr. Bowman’s belief that
Glatfelter had been released from its liability for payment of existing claims
during the period of self-insurance in favor of RFS was not well founded. The
NCDOI, through Mr. Ennis, in an internal memorandum to Mr. Ennis’s supervisor
and an external communication to Ms. Thorpe of the Commission Statistics
Section, reported that RFS had assumed liability for Glatfelter’s self-insured
workers’ compensation claims. It should be noted that Mr. Ennis’s October 2,
2001 memorandum to Ms. Thorpe was written after Glatfelter had executed the
purchase agreement with RFS and there is no evidence that Mr. Bowman was aware
of Mr. Ennis’s memorandum at the time. Glatfelter did not rely on any
representations of the NCDOI or the Industrial Commission prior to entering into
the acquisition agreement. Glatfelter received a letter dated August 9, 2001
from the Law Offices of Ballard, Spahr, Andrews & Ingersoll regarding the
effect of the Amended and Restated Acquisition Agreement. Glatfelter’s own
attorneys stated “The opinions expressed herein are limited to the federal
laws of the United States of America, the General Corporation Law of the State
of Delaware and the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and we express no
opinion concerning the laws of any other jurisdiction.” Glatfelter, therefore,
did not obtain a legal opinion as to the effect of the Amended and Restated
Acquisition Agreement under the laws of the State of North Carolina.
16. RFS, Glatfelter’s purported
successor in interest for its workers’ compensation liabilities, never applied
for or submitted the requisite documentation necessary to qualify as a licensed
self-insured employer under the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act. The
NCDOI did not require RFS to become self-insured in order to post the
replacement bond. RFS never was a qualified self-insurer and therefore was not a
member self-insured of NCSIGA.
17. RFS
was insured by PMA Insurance Company for the periods August 8, 2001 through
August 8, 2002 and from August 8, 2002 through September 23, 2002 and by
Travelers Insurance Company from September 23, 2002 through September 23, 2003
for claims arising during these stated periods and not for any claims pending
prior to these periods of coverage.
18. Despite Mr. Ennis’s testimony
that he did not purport to release Glatfelter from liability for its existing
workers’ compensation claim liability when Glatfelter ceased its status as a
licensed self-insurer, Mr. Ennis’s action in permitting RFS to post a bond
instead of requiring a special release bond and his memorandum to Ms. Thorpe
strongly suggest that Mr. Ennis may have believed at the time that RFS would
assume Glatfelter’s existing workers’ compensation liabilities. These facts
support Mr. Bowman’s testimony that “it was my opinion that we were relieved
from the State with what Mr. Ennis sent,” based on his communications with Mr.
Ennis that RFS could and was lawfully assuming Glatfelter’s existing
liabilities.
19. The
Full Commission finds Glatfelter’s defense of this claim is not without
reasonable grounds. In addition, it appears the legal issues in this case are of
first impression in North Carolina.
20. This
matter was appealed to the Full Commission by defendant Glatfelter from an
Opinion and Award awarding benefits and results in the affirmation of that
award.
*
* * * * * * * * * *
Based on the foregoing findings of fact, the Full Commission makes the
following:
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
1. The North Carolina Industrial Commission has subject matter jurisdiction over this action and personal jurisdiction over each of the parties. N.C. Gen. Stat. §§97-3; 97-91; North Carolina Ins. Guar. Ass’n v. International Paper Co., 152 N.C. App. 224, 569 S.E.2d 285, disc. rev. denied, 356 N.C. 438, 572 S.E.2d 786 (2002). No other parties are necessary in this cause of action, in that RFS was the only “Buyer” who purported to assume any liability for Glatfelter’s workers’ compensation obligations and RFS is subject to the protection of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of North Carolina.
2. There is no mechanism in the statutory scheme that permits a self-insured employer to transfer its potential liabilities for workers’ compensation claims by private contractual agreement. N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-6 provides that: “No contract or agreement, written or implied, no rule, regulation, or other device shall in any manner operate to relieve an employer in whole or in part, of any obligation created by this Article, except as herein otherwise expressly provided.” A contract that violates a statutory provision is illegal and void. Perkins v. Arkansas Trucking Servs., Inc., 351 N.C. 634, 528 S.E.2d 902 (2000); Roth v. McCord, 232 N.C. 678, 62 S.E.2d 64 (1950); Cauble v. Trexler, 227 N.C. 307, 42 S.E.2d 77 (1947). The agreements between Glatfelter and RFS, to the extent the agreements purported to transfer Glatfelter’s workers’ compensation liabilities under the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act, are void ab initio as a matter of law and as a matter of public policy and do not operate in any manner to relieve Glatfelter of any obligation which arose during its period of self-insurance coverage, from January 7, 1992 to August 24, 2001. Therefore, there was no valid transfer of Glatfelter’s workers’ compensation liabilities to RFS. N.C. Gen. Stat. §§97-1 et seq., 97-6. 3. An employer always has primary liability for any award granted by the Industrial Commission. N.C. Gen. Stat. §§97-3; 97-9; Roberts v. Coal Co., 210 N.C. 17, 185 S.E. 438 (1936); Tucker v. Workable Company, Inc., 129 N.C. App. 695, 501 S.E.2d 360 (1998). Therefore, plaintiff is entitled to have Glatfelter pay his workers’ compensation claim, which arose during its period of qualification as a self-insured employer.
4. While Glatfelter can cease to be self-insured, the self-insured must still fully discharge all of its obligations under the Act. N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-185. The statute provides:
“If a self-insurer ceases to self-insure or desires to replace securities with an acceptable surety bond or bonds, the self-insurer shall notify the Commissioner [of Insurance], and may recover all or a portion of the securities deposited with the Commissioner [of Insurance] upon posting instead an acceptable special release bond issued by a corporate surety in an amount equal to the total value of the securities. The special release bond shall cover all existing liabilities under the Act plus an amount to cover future loss development and shall remain in force until all obligations under the Act have been discharged fully.” N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-185(g). [Emphasis added]
“ ‘Corporate surety’ means an insurance company authorized by the Commissioner [of Insurance] to write surety business in this State.” N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-165(5).
5. “If a self-insurer ceases to self-insure, no deposits shall be released by the Commissioner [of Insurance] until the self-insurer has discharged fully all of the self-insurer’s obligations under the Act.” N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-185(h). [Emphasis added] Glatfelter’s bond should not have been released by NCDOI without the posting of a “special release bond” because Glatfelter has not fully discharged all its obligations under the Act.
6. The so-called assumption of Glatfelter’s workers’ compensation liabilities was part of the negotiated contract sales price for the sale of the Ecusta Division. The RFS bond was obtained on behalf of and for the benefit of Glatfelter for the purpose of securing Glatfelter’s workers’ compensation obligations pending at the time of the sale of the Ecusta Division to RFS. As provided in N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-185, the purpose of the bond is to secure, at least in part, the self-insurer’s claims liability to insure that injured workers’ injuries on the job will be properly compensated, irrespective of the employer’s financial condition. Apparently Glatfelter relied on the posting of the surety bond by RFS to bring Glatfelter into compliance with N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-185. However, the bond posted by RFS for the benefit of Glatfelter does not qualify as a “special release bond,” as RFS was not a “corporate surety” as defined by N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-165(5).
7. It appears that as to plaintiff’s claim, and for other Glatfelter employees similarly situated, Glatfelter is currently neither a qualified self-insured nor does it have workers’ compensation insurance coverage. The Commission has the authority to enforce the statutory provisions that require an employer to take whatever steps are necessary to come into compliance with the statutory requirement of workers’ compensation coverage. N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-94.
8. Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-130(4), NCSIGA is liable only for “covered claims,” defined as “an unpaid claim against an insolvent self-insurer that relates to an injury that occurs while the self-insurer is a member of the Association. . . .” Id. Therefore, NCSIGA’s potential liability is not at issue and NCSIGA is not a necessary party to this action.
9. The defense of this claim was reasonable and not stubborn, unfounded litigiousness and therefore plaintiff is not entited to attorney’s fees pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-88.1.
10. Plaintiff is entitled to an attorney’s fee assessed against Glatfelter in the amount of $2,000.00 pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-88.
*
* * * * * * * * * *
Based upon the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, the
Full Commission enters the following:
A
W A R D
1. Since the purpose of the surety bond was to insure Glatfelter’s workers’ compensation obligations, the bond monies should be available for that purpose and therefore the parties shall immediately take the necessary steps to effectuate the underlying purpose for which the bond was issued.
2. Glatfelter is hereby ORDERED to secure its obligations under the Act as required by N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-93 by either re-qualifying as a self-insurer or posting a special release bond in such amount as the Commissioner of Insurance deems appropriate.
3. Glatfelter is hereby ORDERED to make payment of disability compensation and medical compensation to plaintiff for his admittedly compensable workers’ compensation claim.
4. Plaintiff moved that the Commission order Glatfelter to pay compensation to plaintiff pending appeal, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-86.1, which motion was granted by Order of an Administrative Panel of the Full Commission on July 29, 2003. Glatfelter appealed to the North Carolina Court of Appeals but subsequently dismissed its appeal. Thereafter, the Administrative Panel vacated its July 29, 2003 order so that the undersigned panel of the Full Commission could determine this and all other pending issues in this matter. In that this claim is admittedly compensable, the amount of compensation is not disputed, and the only issue is which employer is liable for payment of compensation, plaintiff’s motion for an order of compensation pending appeal, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-86.1, is GRANTED. Glatfelter is HEREBY ORDERED to pay plaintiff compensation awarded in Award Paragraph 1 pending appeal to the North Carolina Court of Appeals. In the event that Glatfelter is not ultimately liable for the amount paid, the employer/carrier found ultimately responsible shall be ordered to reimburse Glatfelter for compensation paid to plaintiff.
5. The North Carolina Self-Insured Insurance Guaranty Association is DISMISSED as a party in this action.
6. The parties’ requests for attorney’s fees pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-88.1 are hereby DENIED.
7. Glatfelter shall pay the costs, including a reasonable attorney’s fee in the amount of $2,000.00 to plaintiff’s attorneys.
This the 13th
day of January 2004.
S/
LAURA
KRANIFELD MAVRETIC
COMMISSIONER
CONCURRING:
S/
BERNADINE
S. BALLANCE
COMMISSIONER
S/
THOMAS J. BOLCH
COMMISSIONER
LKM/kjd
Read Chief Deputy Commissioner Gheen's July 30, 2003 Memo.
Read Chief Deputy Commissioner Gheen's June 5, 2003 Memo.
Read Chairman Buck Lattimore's April 4, 2003 Memo.
Read Chief Deputy Commissioner Stephen T. Gheen's December 3, 2002 Order.
Read Chairman Lattimore's November 8, 2002 Memorandum.
Read NCSIGA's October 28, 2002 Letter.