It may be that Worker's Compensation is not a lien.  29(1) of the Worker's Compensation Law states that it is a right of "Subrogation".  It may be that injured workers have been over paying for the last 50 years.  It even may result that WC does not get a credit for future obligations.  This is a new concept that will need to be resolved by the courts.  However, it is an issue worth fighting for.  The goal is to direct the maximum to the injured party... JMH