The case for bad faith in workers' comp: workers' compensation statutes represent an agreement that injured workers forgo a court hearing in exchange for fair benefits and speedy handling of their claims. When an insurer fails to hold up its end of the deal, you may have the makings of a bad-faith claim.

Workers' compensation is a promise--a promise to protect workers. There are three essential hallmarks of the workers' compensation system: It is no-fault, it provides limited benefits, and it is designed [...]