MONTANA WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COURT
No decisions this reporting period.
Submitted Matters
Motions & Miscellaneous Matters
| Case | Pleading | Date Submitted |
| Rutledge v. Technology Ins. Co. | Petitioner’s Cross-Motion for Summary Judgement | 2/11/26 |
| Rutledge v. Technology Ins. Co. | Respondent’s Motion for Summary Judgment | 2/17/26 |
| Crisler v. Zurich Am. Ins. Co.
|
Respondent’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment | 5/11/26 |
| Crisler v. Zurich Am. Ins. Co.
|
Respondent’s Motion in Limine | 5/11/26 |
| Parker / Leggitt v. Safeway
|
Respondent’s Motion for Summary Judgment | 5/12/26 |
| Guitron v. UEF | UEF’s Motion for Summary Judgment | 5/15/26
|
| Guitron v. UEF | Villegas Del Villar’s Motion for Summary Judgment | 5/20/26
|
| Crisler v. Zurich Am. Ins. Co.
|
Petitioner’s Counter-Motion for Summary Judgment | 5/21/26 |
Upcoming Trials, Hearings & Conferences
No matters currently scheduled.
Montana Workers’ Compensation Stipulations Summary (through June 5, 2026)
PLAN 2
| Case Name | DOI | Body Part(s) | Settlement Type | Settlement Amount | Petitioner Attorney | Respondent Attorney |
| Rodney Butler v. Fire Ins. Exchange | 8/1/25 | Low back; left shoulder; left wrist | Full and Final – Medicals Closed | $14,149.65 | None | Smith, Charlie
Crowley Fleck PLLP |
| Steven Jackson v. Security Nat’l Ins. Co. | 4/5/24 | Low back | Full and Final – Medicals Closed | $50,000.00 including MSA ($6,177.24) | Tempel-St. John, Stacy
Fair Claim Law |
Maynard, Joe
Crowley Fleck PLLP |
PLAN 3
| Case Name | DOI | Body Part(s) | Settlement Type | Settlement Amount | Petitioner Attorney | Respondent Attorney |
| Tyson Lepinski v. Montana State Fund | 12/7/23 | Head; neck; gastrointestinal | Full and Final – Medicals Closed | $60,000.00 | Murphy, Matt
Murphy Law Firm |
Coate, Erik
Montana State Fund |
ESD Settlements Approved through June 5, 2026
PLAN 1
| Claimant Name | DOI | Body Part | Settlement Type | Settlement Amount | Attorney Name |
| Gudmundson, Clayton | 4/18/24 | Knee | Petition for Settlement-Medicals Closed | $45,000.00 | Plath, Russ |
| Harris, Tamara | 12/5/22 | Knee | Petition for Settlement – Medicals Closed | $5,000.00 | None |
| Miller, Johnathan | 1/21/25 | Body systems | Best Interests | $35,000.00 | Tourtlotte, Matthew |
PLAN 2
| Claimant Name | DOI | Body Part | Settlement Type | Settlement Amount | Attorney Name |
| Hambright, Kathleen | 8/12/25 | Knee | Best Interests | $35,000.00 | Rasmusson, Eric |
| Sweeney, Kerry | 3/1/24 | Hand | Best Interests | $10,000.00 | Helmer, Chris |
| Urquidi, James | 5/9/25 | Low back | Best Interests | $14,000.00 | None |
PLAN 3
| Claimant Name | DOI | Body Part | Settlement Type | Settlement Amount | Attorney Name |
| Borchard, Katherine | 3/31/26 | Low back | Disputed Initial Compensability | $1,800.00 | None |
| Chaffin, Erica | 5/30/24 | Wrist | Best Interests | $26,000.00 | Dalpiaz, Leslae |
| Cook, William | 1/13/26 | Finger(s) | Best Interests | $2,375.00 | None |
| Hanson, Heidi | 9/19/01 | Soft tissue | Best Interests | $70,000.00 | None |
| Hanson, Donald | 9/18/87 | Chest | Petition for Settlement – Medicals Reserved | $10,000.00 | Blackaby, Dean |
| Peterson, Roger | 1/23/25 | Internal organs | Best Interests | $45,000.00 | None |
| Robinson, Jarrod | 10/27/25 | Upper arm | Best Interests | $7,000.00 | None |
| Wise, Tamera | 8/5/24 | Pelvis | Best Interests | $2,403.70 | None |
UEF
| Claimant Name | DOI | Body Part | Settlement Type | Settlement Amount | Attorney Name |
| St. Clair, Thomas | 8/20/24 | Low back | Petition for Settlement – Medicals Closed | $80,000.00 | Stover, Shelby |
Key Insights for Montana Work Comp Professionals
- Litigation Activity Is Concentrated in Dispositive Motions
Although no trials, hearings, or conferences are currently scheduled, there are multiple pending summary judgment motions and related dispositive motions. The cases of Rutledge, Crisler, and Guitron account for most of the Court’s active docket, suggesting that compensability and legal issues are increasingly being resolved through motion practice rather than trial.
- Settlement Values Continue to Vary Widely Based on Exposure
Recent settlements range from as little as $1,800 (disputed initial compensability low-back claim) to $80,000 (UEF low-back claim with medicals closed). This reinforces that settlement value is driven less by body part alone and more by factors such as accepted liability, future medical exposure, wage-loss risk, and litigation posture.
- “Best Interests” Settlements Remain the Dominant ESD Resolution Mechanism
Most ESD-approved settlements during this reporting period were approved as “Best Interests” settlements rather than traditional petitions for settlement. This trend suggests continued reliance on the Department approval process, particularly for smaller claims and claims involving unrepresented workers.
- Low-Back Claims Continue to Generate Significant Settlement Activity
Low-back injuries appear repeatedly throughout both the WCC stipulations and ESD approvals, including settlements of $50,000, $60,000, $80,000, and other amounts. The frequency of lumbar-spine claims in the settlement data underscores their continued role as one of the most costly and litigated injury categories in Montana workers’ compensation.
- Older Claims Still Produce Meaningful Settlement Exposure
Several settlements involve injuries dating back decades, including claims from 1987 and 2001. The presence of these older claims demonstrates the long-tail liability associated with Montana workers’ compensation, particularly where medical benefits remain open or claimants continue to require treatment many years after the original injury.
