Liability of Third Parties.
Article 174
ART. 174. Liability of Third Parties. — (a) In case the injury or death for which compensation is due under this Title is caused by circumstances creating a legal liability in some person other than the employer, it shall be optional for the injured employee or his dependent either to claim compensation from the System under this Title or to sue such other person for damages in accordance with law. In case compensation is claimed and allowed in accordance with this Title, the System shall be subrogated to the rights of the injured employee or his dependents in accordance with the general law. Where the System recovers from such third person damages in excess of those paid or allowed under this Title, such excess shall be delivered to the injured employee or another person entitled thereto, after deduction of the expenses of the System and the cost of the proceedings. The sum paid by the System for compensation or the amount of compensation to which the employee or his dependents are entitled under the provisions of this Title shall be admissible as evidence in any damage suit or action.