California State Automobile Ass'n Inter-Insurance Bureau v. Jackson

In this interpleader action, defendant Joe Jackson, Jr., appeals from that portion of a judgment which grants a lien pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 14117 1 in favor of lien claimant Department of Health Care Services of the State of California (Department) 2 against the amount apportioned to Jackson of the proceeds of uninsured motorist coverage deposited in court by the interpleading plaintiff insurer.

Jackson and other persons were passengers in an automobile owned and operated by Avery Sanders. They were injured as the result of a collision with an uninsured motorist. Jackson’s medical expenses ($9,833.39) for the treatment of his injuries were paid under the California Medical Assistance Program (Medi-Cal), administered by the Department.

The automobile liability policy issued to Sanders by plaintiff California State Automobile Association Inter-Insurance Bureau contained an uninsured motorist clause, as required by Insurance Code section 11580.2, with maximum coverage of $15,000 for injury to each person, not to exceed $30,000 for each accident. Plaintiff brought the instant interpleader action, *862 naming as defendants, Sanders, Jackson, and…