Montana Workers’ Compensation Court
No new enumerated decisions this period.
Montana Workers’ Compensation Stipulations Summary (through Jan. 23, 2026)
PLAN 1
| Case Name | DOI | Body Part(s) | Settlement Type | Settlement Amount | Petitioner Attorney | Respondent Attorney |
| Paula Pasek v. Montana Health Network | Multiple (7) | Multiple | Full and Final (Medicals Closed) | $75,000.00 | Overturf, Greg
Odegaard Injury Lawyers |
Maynard, Joe
Crowley Fleck PLLP |
ESD Settlements Approved through Jan. 12, 2026
PLAN 1
| Claimant Name | DOI | Body Part | Settlement Type | Settlement Amount | Attorney |
| Hauf, Dan | 3/8/19 | Knee | Petition for Settlement-Medicals Closed | $37,000.00 | Adam, Paul |
| Thomas, Jade | 12/11/25 | Mouth | Disputed Initial | $22,000.00 | |
| Tveidt, Travis | 7/31/18 | Ear(s) | Petition for Settlement – Medicals Closed | $12,000.00 |
PLAN 2
| Claimant Name | DOI | Body Part | Settlement Type | Settlement Amount | Attorney |
| Noble, Celestine | 4/12/25 | Multiple Body Parts | Best Interest | $5,300.00 | Wallace, Lucas |
| Vickrey, Jason Howard | 4/1/23 | Shoulder(s) | Best Interest | $80,000.00 | Helmer, Chris |
| Watson, Katelyn | 7/5/23 | Lower Leg | Best Interest | $10,000.00 |
PLAN 3
| Claimant Name | DOI | Body Part | Settlement Type | Settlement Amount | Attorney |
| Blair, Daniel | 8/31/21 | Finger(s) | Medicals Reserved | $6,000.00 | |
| Bolton, Keri | 8/26/22 | Hand | Disputed Initial | $500.00 | Dalpiaz, Miranda |
| Dog Taking Gun, Bruce | 10/26/23 | Multiple Upper Extremities | Petition for Settlement- Medicals Closed | $61,500.00 | Murphy, Matthew |
| Johnson, Laura | 10/21/25 | Pelvis | Disputed Initial | $2,100.00 | |
| Lee, Joann | 1/6/25 | Lower Back | Petition for Settlement-Medicals Closed | $3,500.00 | |
| Legg, Jennifer | 11/5/21 | Foot | Petition for Settlement – Medicals Closed | $125,000.00 | Murphy, Tommy |
| Lopez, Omara | 10/27/25 | Ear(s) | Disputed Initial | $3,387.00 | |
| Marquez, Drune | 7/8/25 | Hand | Disputed Initial | $15,000.00 | Johnson, Ross |
| Melby, Melissa | 1/1/25 | Hand | Disputed Initial | $3,750.00 | |
| Night Shoot, Nicole | 12/30/21 | Chest | Best Interest | $15,000.00 | |
| Nisbet, Cole | 8/15/21 | Facial Bones | Best Interest | $25,000.00 | Schulke, J.Kim |
| Ray, Malik | 2/9/25 | Hand | Best Interest | $1,000.00 | |
| Rumbaugh, Brian | 4/11/25 | Upper Back | Best Interest | $700.00 | |
| Stennett, Amanda | 7/23/24 | Upper Back | Disputed Initial | $10,000.00 | Miller, Andrew |
| Staggs, Cherri | 2/15/24 | Ankle | Best Interest | $3,150.00 | |
| Torkelson, Becky | 12/17/24 | Internal Organs | Disputed Initial | $500.00 | Hartelius, Channing |
| Torkelson, Becky | 2/5/25 | Internal Organs | Petition for Settlement-Medicals Closed | $10,000.00 | Hartelius, Channing |
| Villa, Steven | 2/18/22 | Brain | Petition for Settlement – Medicals Reserved | $562,500.00 | Miller, Andrew |
| Weiderhold, Joey | 2/6/25 | Upper Back | Best Interest | $3,744.13 | |
| Wynegar, Austin | 11/15/25 | Finger(s) | Disputed Initial | $5,500.00 | Dalpiaz, Miranda |
UEF
| Claimant Name | DOI | Body Part | Settlement Type | Settlement Amount | Attorney |
| Villegas Del Villar, Lorenzo | 2/18/22 | Multiple Body Parts | Petition for Settlement- Medicals Closed | $180,000.00 | Braukmann, Matthew |
5 Key Insights for Montana Work Comp Professionals
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Plan 3 (Montana State Fund) Continues to Drive Volume and Variability
Plan 3 accounts for the overwhelming majority of settlements in this reporting period, with awards ranging from sub-$1,000 nuisance values to a $562,500 brain injury settlement. This reinforces that Plan 3 remains the most active—and unpredictable—arena for contested and negotiated resolutions, particularly for disputed initial liability cases.
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“Disputed Initial” Claims Routinely Resolve at Modest Values
Across Plans 2 and 3, Disputed Initial settlements cluster at relatively low dollar amounts (often $500–$15,000), suggesting a consistent valuation trend where exposure uncertainty—not impairment severity—drives resolution. This has implications for early investigation strategy and cost-benefit analysis of denial versus early compromise.
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Medicals Closed Remains the Dominant Settlement Structure
The most common settlement type across all plans is Petition for Settlement – Medicals Closed, even for orthopedic and internal organ claims. This reflects a continued institutional preference—by both insurers and claimants—for finality and long-term medical cost certainty, particularly in mature or medically plateaued claims.
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Body Part Alone Is a Poor Predictor of Settlement Value
Similar body parts show wide valuation spreads. For example:
Hand injuries resolve anywhere from $500 to $15,000
Upper back injuries range from $700 to $10,000
Internal organ claims span from $500 to $10,000
This underscores that causation disputes, medical complexity, and litigation posture are more determinative than anatomy alone.
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UEF Exposure Remains Substantial but Infrequent
While only one UEF settlement appears, it resolved at $180,000 for multiple body parts—highlighting that although UEF cases are fewer, they continue to represent outsized financial exposure when compensability is established, reinforcing the importance of employer coverage compliance and early UEF risk assessment.
