SUBJECT:
Title
Request for Approval of Workers’ Compensation Settlement in the Workers’ Compensation Case, Deanna Etheredge v. Marion County Parks and Recreation, OJCC Case No. 11-021101WRH (Budget Impact - Neutral; expenditure of $120,000)
Body
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INITIATOR: |
DEPARTMENT: |
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Matthew G. Minter, County Attorney |
County Attorney |
DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND:
On January 16, 2004, Ms. Etheredge was injured while inspecting a playground for maintenance on behalf of Marion County Parks & Recreation.
Ms. Etheredge underwent treatment and complained of pain in her neck. She underwent several surgeries including receiving anterior cervical discectomy and fusion over the C5-6 level on July 21, 2005. On June 22, 2023, Ms. Etheredge again had surgery for an exploration of her prior fusion C5-6, removal of hardware, along with a single level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion at C4-5 with an interbody cage and plate stabilization. Ms. Etheredge has filed a claim for payment of permanent total disability benefits (PTD). Thus, the County faces exposure for over $180,000 in future PTD benefits. Additionally, the County would face exposure for continued future medical care of more than $400,000 based on her life expectancy of 21.46 years.
Ms. Etheredge is represented by Attorney Lance F. Avera. On June 4, 2026, the parties attended mediation wherein Ms. Etheredge demanded $175,000 to settle her claim. The County Attorney’s office agreed to the amount of $120,000, contingent on approval by the Marion County Board of County Commissioners, which Ms. Etheredge accepted. The recommendation to the Board is that Marion County settle this workers’ compensation case in the amount of $120,000, inclusive of attorneys’ fees and costs to be paid from the Workers’ Compensation Self-Insurance Fund.
BUDGET/IMPACT:
Neutral; expenditure of $120,000, from the Workers’ Compensation Self-Insurance Fund ZK160519-524111.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommended action
Motion to Adopt Resolution Approving Settlement in the Deanna Etheredge v. Marion County Parks and Recreation, Workers’ Compensation Case for $120,000 to be paid for by the County’s Workers’ Compensation Self-Insurance Fund.
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