(a) The board shall be subrogated to the rights of the recipient to the extent of any compensation granted by the board. The subrogation rights shall be against the perpetrator of the crime or any person liable for the losses suffered as a direct result of the crime which was the basis for receipt of compensation, including an insurer held liable in accordance with the provision of a policy of insurance issued pursuant to Section 11580.2 of the Insurance Code.
(b) The board shall also be entitled to a lien on any judgment, award, or settlement in favor of or on behalf of the recipient for losses suffered as a direct result of the crime that was the basis for receipt of compensation in the amount of the compensation granted by the board. The board may recover this amount in a separate action, or may intervene in an action brought by or on behalf of the recipient. If a claim is filed within one year of the date of recovery, the board shall pay 25 percent of the amount of the recovery that is subject to a lien on the judgment, award, or settlement, to the recipient responsible for recovery if the recipient notified the board of the action prior to receiving any recovery. The remaining amount, and any amount not claimed within one year pursuant to this section, shall be deposited in the Restitution Fund.
(c) The board may compromise or settle and release any lien pursuant to this chapter if it is found that the action is in the best interest of the state or the collection would cause undue hardship upon the recipient. Repayment obligations to the Restitution Fund shall be enforceable as a summary judgment.
(d) No judgment, award, or settlement in any action or claim by a recipient, where the board has an interest, shall be satisfied without first giving the board notice and a reasonable opportunity to perfect and satisfy the lien. The notice shall be given to the board in Sacramento except in cases where the board specifies that the notice shall be given otherwise. The notice shall include the complete terms of the award, settlement, or judgment, and the name and address of any insurer directly or indirectly providing for the satisfaction.
(e) (1) If the recipient brings an action or asserts a claim for damages against the person or persons liable for the injury or death giving rise to an award by the board under this chapter, notice of the institution of legal proceedings, notice of all hearings, conferences, and proceedings, and notice of settlement shall be given to the board in Sacramento except in cases where the board specifies that notice shall be given to the Attorney General. Notice of the institution of legal proceedings shall be given to the board within 30 days of filing the action. All notices shall be given by the attorney employed to bring the action for damages or by the recipient if no attorney is employed.
(2) Notice shall include all of the following:
(A) Names of all parties to the claim or action.
(B) The address of all parties to the claim or action except for those persons represented by attorneys and in that case the name of the party and the name and address of the attorney.
(C) The nature of the claim asserted or action brought.
(D) In the case of actions before courts or administrative agencies, the full title of the case including the identity of the court or agency, the names of the parties, and the case or docket number.
(3) When the recipient or his or her attorney has reason to believe that a person from whom damages are sought is receiving a defense provided in whole or in part by an insurer, or is insured for the injury caused to the recipient, notice shall include a statement of that fact and the name and address of the insurer. Upon request of the board, a person obligated to provide notice shall provide the board with a copy of the current written claim or complaint.
(f) The board shall pay the county probation department or other county agency responsible for collection of funds owed to the Restitution Fund under Section 13967, as operative on or before September 28, 1994, Section 1202.4 of the Penal Code, Section 1203.04 of the Penal Code, as operative on or before August 2, 1995, or Section 730.6 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, 10 percent of the funds so owed and collected by the county agency and deposited in the Restitution Fund. This payment shall be made only when the funds are deposited in the Restitution Fund within 45 days of the end of the month in which the funds are collected. Receiving 10 percent of the moneys collected as being owed to the Restitution Fund shall be considered an incentive for collection efforts and shall be used for furthering these collection efforts. The 10-percent rebates shall be used to augment the budgets for the county agencies responsible for collection of funds owed to the Restitution Fund, as provided in Section 13967, as operative on or before September 28, 1994, Section 1202.4 of the Penal Code, Section 1203.04 of the Penal Code, operative on or before August 2, 1995, or Section 730.6 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. The 10-percent rebates shall not be used to supplant county funding.
(g) In the event of judgment or award in a suit or claim against a third party or insurer, if the action or claim is prosecuted by the recipient alone, the court or agency shall first order paid from any judgment or award the reasonable litigation expenses incurred in preparation and prosecution of the action or claim, together with reasonable attorney’s fees when an attorney has been retained. After payment of the expenses and attorney’s fees, the court or agency shall, on the application of the board, allow as a lien against the amount of the judgment or award, the amount of the compensation granted by the board to the recipient for losses sustained as a result of the same incident upon which the settlement, award, or judgment is based.
(h) For purposes of this section, “recipient” means any person who has received compensation or will be provided compensation pursuant to this chapter, including the victim’s guardian, conservator or other personal representative, estate, and survivors.
(i) In accordance with subparagraph (B) of paragraph (4) of subdivision (f) of Section 1202.4 of the Penal Code, a representative of the board may provide the probation department, district attorney, and court with information relevant to the board’s losses prior to the imposition of a sentence.
(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 569, Sec. 10. (AB 1140) Effective January 1, 2016.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018