Harvey
Harvey v. Boysen
Opinion
Lead Opinion
Elkington, J.
Plaintiff Ethel Harvey commenced an action for damages for injuries sustained in the course of her employment by the County of Contra Costa, alleged to have been proximately caused by the negligence of defendant Edwin Boysen. The injuries had caused her to *759 lose a substantial amount of time from her employment. During trial the action was settled by payment to her of $21,000.
A Contra Costa County ordinance numbered 36-8.1402 provided that any permanent employee of the county should receive full salary during any period of temporary work-connected disability. 1 Since plaintiff was such a permanent employee she was paid her salary throughout the disability resulting from her injuries.
The county claimed a first lien, under Labor Code sections 3852 and 3856, subdivision (b), against the settlement proceeds, for $2,327.34, the amount of salary paid plaintiff according to the ordinance. The superior court thereafter made an order denying the claim of lien. The county has appealed from the order.
Sections 3852 and 3856, subdivision (b), are found in division 4 of the Labor Code (§§ 3201-6002, inclusive) which constitutes California’s Workmen’s Compensation Act.