Henning v. Wineman, 306 N.W.2d 550 (Minn. 1981). · Go Syfert
Henning v. Wineman, 306 N.W.2d 550 (Minn. 1981). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
69 citation events (17 in the last 25 years) across 12 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Government Employees Insurance Company v. Knutson (mnd, 2020-11-06)
Treatment trajectory · 1981 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1981 2003 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 23 distinct citers. How cited ↗
cited Cited as authority (rule) Government Employees Insurance Company v. Knutson
D. Minnesota · 2020 · confidence medium
Id. (citing Toomey, 306 N.W.2d at 550, and Widness, 635 N.W.2d at 522 ); see also North Star Mut.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) DePuy, Inc. v. Farmer
Ind. · 2006 · confidence medium
The court stated that because the third party had knowledge that the employee was injured in the course of employment, the third party is "charged with the knowledge of the law providing that the employer or his insurance carrier is subrogated to the rights of the employee and the third party is cast with statutory notice of the employer's subrogation interests."); Henning v. Wineman, 306 N.W.2d 550, 553-54 (Minn.1981) (an employee may settle without the employer's or carrier's consent, but such a settlement does not affect the employer's or carrier's rights against the third party).
cited Cited as authority (rule) In Re Approval of Settlement & Distribution of Wrongful Death Proceeds for the Next of Kin of Markuson
Minn. Ct. App. · 2004 · confidence medium
The fund argues that the district court erred by failing to follow the statutory formulas set out in Minn.Stat. § 176.061 (2002) and modified by Henning v. Wineman, 306 N.W.2d 550, 552 (Minn.1981).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Illinois Tool Works, Inc. v. Independent Machine Corp.
Ill. App. Ct. · 2003 · confidence medium
Id. at 552-53." Drake , 613 N.W.2d at 431-32 .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Paradiso v. TIPPS EQUIPMENT
N.M. Ct. App. · 2003 · confidence medium
Co., 88 Cal.App.4th 517 , 105 Cal.Rptr.2d 877, 883 (2001); Shirley v, Pothast, 508 N.W.2d 712 , 714—17 (Iowa 1993); Nunez v. Loomis Fargo & Co., 807 So.2d 1063, 1070 (La.Ct.App.2002); Henning v. Wineman, 306 N.W.2d 550, 553 (Minn.1981). 2 .
cited Cited as authority (rule) Kliniski v. Southdale Manor, Inc.
Minn. · 1994 · confidence medium
Id. at 551-52.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Albert v. Paper Calmenson & Co.
Minn. Ct. App. · 1994 · confidence medium
Henning v. Wineman, 306 N.W.2d 550, 553 (Minn.1981).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Folstad v. Eder (2×)
Minn. · 1991 · confidence medium
If the injured employee has a spouse with a loss of consortium claim, the employee may elect to have an appropriate portion of the overall settlement set aside in satisfaction of the consortium claim, leaving only the remaining portion of the settlement subject to the subdivision 6 formula, as provided in Henning v. Wineman, 306 N.W.2d 550, 553 (Minn.1981).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Locher v. Gareis (2×) also: Cited "see"
Minn. Ct. App. · 1987 · confidence medium
Henning v. Wineman, 306 N.W.2d 550, 552 (Minn.1981).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Ruddy v. Ford Motor Co.
Minn. Ct. App. · 1987 · confidence medium
Henning v. Wineman, 306 N.W.2d 550, 552 (Minn. 1981) (citing Naig, 258 N.W.2d 891 ).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Murphy Motor Freight Lines, Inc. v. Interstate Motor Freight System
Minn. Ct. App. · 1986 · confidence medium
In Minnesota the district courts have subject matter jurisdiction to allocate the proceeds of a third-party settlement between amounts recoverable and nonrecoverable under the worker’s compensation act, see Henning v. Wineman, 306 N.W.2d 550, 553 (Minn.1981), and to allocate the proceeds under the statutory formula provided in § 176.061, subd. 6 (1984), see Kempa v. E.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Mata v. Clarion Farmers Elevator Cooperative
Iowa · 1986 · confidence medium
Henning v. Wineman, 306 N.W.2d 550, 552 (Minn.1981); Rascop v. Nationwide Carriers, 281 N.W.2d 170, 173 (Minn.1979); Naig v. Bloomington Sanitation 258 N.W.2d 891, 894 (Minn.1977); DeMeulenaere v. Transport Insurance Co., 116 Wis.2d 322, 326 , 342 N.W.2d 56, 58 (Wis.App.1983); see Fuller v. Buhrow, 292 N.W.2d 672 (Iowa 1980); Bilodeau v. Oliver Stores, Inc., 116 N.H. 83 , 352 A.2d 741 (N.H.1976).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Kaiser v. Northern States Power Co. (2×) also: Cited "see"
Minn. · 1984 · confidence medium
Henning v. Wineman, 306 N.W.2d 550, 553 (Minn.1981). 3 .The legislature abrogated the common law "fireman’s rule" as applied to firefighters by Act of May 18, 1983, ch. 159, 1983 Minn.Laws 411.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Sargent v. Johnson
Minn. · 1982 · confidence medium
Henning v. Wineman, 306 N.W.2d 550, 552 (Minn.1981). 4 .
cited Cited "see" Lugo v. Beth Israel Medical Center
N.Y. Sup. Ct. · 2006 · signal: see · confidence high
See Henning v Wineman, 306 NW2d 550 (Minn. 1981).
discussed Cited "see" Hewitt v. Apollo Group (2×)
Minn. Ct. App. · 1992 · signal: see · confidence high
See Henning v. Wineman, 306 N.W.2d 550, 552 (Minn.1981).
cited Cited "see" Keenan v. Hydra-Mac, Inc.
Minn. Ct. App. · 1988 · signal: see · confidence high
See Henning v. Wineman, 306 N.W.2d 550, 552 (Minn.1981).
cited Cited "see" Aetna Life & Casualty, Casualty & Surety Division v. Anderson
Minn. · 1981 · signal: accord · confidence high
Accord, Henning v. Wineman, 306 N.W.2d 550, 553 (Minn.1981).
cited Cited "see" Sargent v. Preston-Haglin Construction Co.
Minn. · 1981 · signal: see · confidence high
See Henning v. Wineman, 306 N.W.2d 550 (Minn.1981) filed March 20, 1981.
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Smith v. CHAMPION TRUCKING CO., INC.
Ind. · 2010 · signal: see also · confidence medium
See also Henning v. Wineman, 306 N.W.2d 550, 553-54 (Minn.1981) (settlement between employee and third party, without consent of employer or employer's insurer, does not bar subsequent suit by employer or insurer against third party).
cited Cited "see, e.g." Drake v. Reile's Transfer & Delivery, Inc.
Minn. Ct. App. · 2000 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence low
See, e.g., Henning, 306 N.W.2d at 550 ; Tyroll v. Private Label Chems., Inc., 505 N.W.2d 54, 56 (Minn.1993); Locher, 411 N.W.2d at 275 .
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Krause v. Merickel (2×)
Minn. · 1984 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence low
See, e.g., Henning v. Wineman, 306 N.W.2d 550 (Minn.1981); Rascop v. Nationwide Carriers, 281 N.W.2d 170 (Minn.1979); Naig v. Bloomington Sanitation, 258 N.W.2d 891 (Minn.1977).
cited Cited "see, e.g." Metropolitan Transit Commission v. Bachman's
Minn. · 1981 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence low
See, e. g., Henning v. Wineman, 306 N.W.2d 550 (Minn. 1981); Paine v. Water Works Supply Co., 269 N.W.2d 725 (Minn.1978); City of St.
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Dallas HENNING and Marilyn Henning, Husband and Wife, Respondents,
v.
George James WINEMAN, Respondent, Western National Mutual Insurance Company, Appellant
51053.
Supreme Court of Minnesota.
Mar 20, 1981.
306 N.W.2d 550
Farrish, Johnson, Maschka & Hottinger and John C. Hottinger, Mankato, for appellant., Schmidt, Thompson, Thompson & Johnson and Joseph E. Thompson, Willmar, for Henning., Erickson, Zierke, Kuderer, Myster & Wilhelm and Charles R. Zierke, Fairmont, for Wineman.
Amdahl, Sheran.
Cited by 36 opinions  |  Published
AMDAHL, Justice.

This is an appeal from an order of the district court, Fifth Judicial District, denying Intervenor’s motion for amended findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order for judgment, or for a new trial.

The issue is whether the district court has the jurisdiction to allocate the proceeds of a third party settlement between amounts recoverable under workers’ compensation and amounts not so recoverable. In our opinion, the district court has that authority. The order of the district court is, therefore, affirmed.

Plaintiff Henning was injured in an automobile accident in 1973, while test driving a car in the course of his employment; as a result, he suffered physical and psychological injuries. Intervenor, Western National Mutual Insurance Company, the employer’s compensation insurer, paid plaintiff workers’ compensation benefits in the total amount of $4,446.00. Plaintiff filed for additional compensation benefits; the interve-nor contested that claim.

Plaintiff brought suit against George Wineman, the third party tortfeasor, for damages incurred as a result of the accident. Western National was informed of the pendency of the action and intervened therein.

Prior to trial plaintiff and defendant entered into a settlement agreement under which defendant was to pay $60,000.00, distributed as follows: $10,000.00 to plaintiff’s wife for loss of consortium, $50,000.00 to plaintiff for his injuries. The intervenor agreed that the total settlement amount was reasonable as was the allocation of $10,000.00 to the wife’s consortium claim, with the remainder to plaintiff’s claim.

Plaintiff then petitioned the district court to hold an allocation hearing to determine the amount of the proceeds attributable to non-recoverable claims. The district court granted the petition over intervenor’s objection. At the conclusion of the allocation hearing, in which all parties participated, the district court allocated $25,000.00 to non-recoverable damages and $25,000.00 to recoverable. Intervenor thereafter moved for amended findings of fact, conclusions of law and order for judgment, or for a new trial. The motion was denied, and interve-nor appealed to this court.

The employer and its compensation insurer in the instant case are subrogated to the rights of plaintiff Henning as Henning[*552] elected to receive compensation benefits from his employer. Minn.Stat. § 176.-061(5)(a) (1980). The controversy in this case centers on the extent of that subrogation interest; does the distribution scheme set out in Minn.Stat. § 176.061(6) (1980) apply to the total proceeds of the settlement, or only to that amount deemed recoverable under workers’ compensation? We hold that where the proceeds of a settlement are allocated between recoverable and non-recoverable damages, only the proceeds allocated to recoverable damages are subject to section 176.061(6). [1]

We are not persuaded by Intervenor’s first assertion that no court has the authority to allocate the proceeds of a settlement between amounts recoverable under workers’ compensation and those not so recoverable. Intervenor argues that the statute sets out the only possible distribution scheme as that section provides that “[t]he proceeds of all actions for damages or settlement thereof under this section * * * shall be divided as follows: * * Minn. Stat. § 176.061(6) (1980). Intervenor reads that statement as asserting that all proceeds of a settlement must be distributed pursuant to that section. We do not agree.

We have previously considered the extent of the application of section 176.061(6) and limited its scope to those proceeds in which the employer has a subrogation interest. Thus, the section does not apply to the proceeds of a settlement attributable to a loss of consortium claim, Rascop v. Nationwide Carriers, 281 N.W.2d 170 (Minn.1979), or to damages that are not recoverable under workers’ compensation, Naig v. Bloomington Sanitation, 258 N.W.2d 891 (Minn.1977); the employer has no subrogation interest in those recoveries.

In the instant case, the Intervenor has a subrogation interest in a portion of the proceeds of the settlement in question, that amount attributable to damages recoverable under workers’ compensation. When the proceeds of a settlement made in district court include both amounts recoverable and not recoverable under workers’ compensation, the extent of the employer’s subrogation interest can be determined in either of two ways at the option of the employee. Under the first option, no allocation between amounts recoverable and not recoverable is made by the district court and section 176.061(6) is applied by the Worker’s Compensation Division to the total proceeds of the settlement attributable to the employee’s claims. In this way, the employee is compensated for non-recoverable damages by the statutory allocation of one third of the settlement amount remaining after subtraction of costs, free from the employer’s interest. Under the second option, the district court makes an allocation of the settlement proceeds between amounts recoverable and not recoverable under workers’ compensation and section 176.061(6) is applied by the Workers’ Compensation Division to only that portion of the settlement proceeds allocated to recoverable damages. By selecting the second[*553] option, the employee forfeited his statutory right to one-third of the recovery. In addition, only that portion of costs of collection attributable to recoverable damages is to be considered when the distribution of recoverable proceeds is made pursuant to section 176.061(6).

We noted the propriety of such an allocation in Naig. We stated that:

So long as the employer is notified of negotiations leading to such a settlement so that it can appear or intervene to protect its interest and so long as the employee demonstrates that the settlement concerns only damages not recoverable under workers’ compensation, or allocates the settlement into recoverable and nonrecoverable claims, the employer cannot credit the nonrecoverable portion of the settlement against compensation payments.

258 N.W.2d at 894 (emphasis added) (footnote omitted). This is what the employee petitioned the district court to do in the instant case. We stand by our decision approving that procedure.

Having decided that such an allocation is proper, the question remains whether the district court may make the allocation. We hold that the district court has the authority to allocate the proceeds of a settlement between amounts recoverable and not recoverable under workers’ compensation.

We find little merit in Intervenor’s contention that the district court is without this jurisdiction. The district court is the repository of broad jurisdictional powers; it “has original jurisdiction in all civil and criminal cases * * Minn.Const.Art. VI, § 3. The drafters of the Minnesota Constitution intended the district court to receive and to exercise all judicial power not vested by the Constitution in other courts. State v. Bach, 36 Minn. 234, 30 N.W. 764 (1886).

[TJhis jurisdiction extends to all causes which the Legislature may, in its discretion, authorize other courts to take cognizance of; because the discretion may never be exercised, or not to the extent authorized, and it is necessary, in the meantime, for some court to have the jurisdiction; and that the authority possessed by the Legislature to confer on other courts a portion of the jurisdiction vested by the constitution in the District Court, does not imply the right to deprive the latter of such jurisdiction, but simply to authorize other courts to exercise it concurrently with the District Court in such cases.

Agin v. Heyward, 6 Minn. 110, 118 (Gil. 53, 62-63) (1861). Therefore, the workers' compensation division can not exercise exclusive jurisdiction over the allocation procedure for the authority held by that division is granted by statute, not by the Minnesota Constitution. Thus, the workers’ compensation division may, at best, possess jurisdiction concurrent with the district court’s authority to make such an allocation. However, we do not pass upon the question of whether concurrent jurisdiction to allocate the proceeds of a settlement between amounts recoverable and not recoverable rests with the workers’ compensation division; that question was neither briefed nor argued before us. [2] All that we decide in this case is that the authority to make such an allocation does rest with the district court.

Finally, we find no merit to appellant’s argument that the settlement reached by a third party tortfeasor and an injured employee without the consent of the employer will work to extinguish the employer’s subrogation rights. As we stated in Lang v. William Bros Boiler & Manufacturing Co., 250 Minn. 521, 531, 85 N.W.2d 412, 419 (1957):

We now hold, therefore, that, where an employee who receives compensation benefits under the Workmen’s Compensation Act commences an action against a third-party tortfeasor under M.S.A. 176.061, subd. 5, he may settle such action with the third party without the consent of the employer or the employer’s compensation[*554] insurance carrier but that such settlement does not affect the rights of the employer or compensation carrier to proceed against the third party the same as if such settlement had not been made.

The order of the district court is affirmed.

SHERAN, C. J., took no part in the consideration or decision of this case.
1

. Minn.Stat. § 176.061(6) provides:

Costs, attorney fees, expenses. The proceeds' of all actions for damages or settlement thereof under this section, except for damages received under subdivision 5, clause (b) received by the injured employee or his dependents or by the employer as provided by subdivision 5, shall be divided as follows:
(a) After deducting the reasonable cost of collection, including but not limited to attorneys fees and burial expense in excess of the statutory liability, then
(b) One-third of the remainder shall in any event be paid to the injured employee or his dependents, without being subject to any right of subrogation.
(c) Out of the balance remaining, the employer shall be reimbursed in an amount equal to all compensation paid under this chapter to the employee or his dependents by the employer less the product of the costs deducted under clause (a) divided by the total proceeds received by the employee or his dependents from the other party multiplied by all compensation paid by the employer to the employee or his dependents.
(d)Any balance remaining shall be paid to the employee or his dependents, and shall be a credit to employer for any compensation which employer is obligated to pay, but has not paid, and for any compensation that such employer shall be obligated to make in the future.
There shall be no reimbursement or credit to employer for interest or penalties.
2

. The Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals has itself expressed doubt as to its authority to make such an allocation. Kuehn v. Jack Frost, Inc., No. 477-40-7027 (Minn. Workers’ Comp. Ct.App. Sept. 29, 1977).