Montana Workers’ Compensation Court
No decisions reported this 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 |
| 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
|
| Fievet v. FedEx Freight, Inc.
|
Respondent’s Motion for Summary Judgment | 9/10/26 |
| Boyer v. Montana State Fund
|
Petitioner’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment | 9/11/26 |
| Boyer v. Montana State Fund | Montana State Fund’s Motion for Leave to Amend Response to Petition for Hearing | 9/14/26 |
|
Crisler v. Zurich American Ins. Co.
|
Respondent’s Motion for Reconsideration |
9/21/26 |
| Koehler v. Victory Ins. Co.
|
Appeal of Department’s Order (ARM 24.5.530) | 9/23/26 |
| Mathiason v. Montana State Fund | Petitioner’s Motion in Limine | 9/25/26 |
| Fievet v. FedEx Freight, Inc. | Petitioner’s Cross Motion for Summary Judgment | 10/2/26 |
| Parker Radar v. UEF, et al. | UEF’s Opposed Motion to Set Scheduling Conference and Enter New Scheduling Order | 10/5/26 |
Upcoming Trials, Hearings & Conferences
| Date | Time | Place | Issue | Case |
| 10/7/26 | 9:30 am | Zoom | Pre-Trial Conference | Mathiason v. Montana State Fund |
| 10/20/26 | 9:00 am | Missoula | Perpetuation Deposition of Dr. Layton | Krueger v. Clear Spring Prop. & Cas. Co. |
| 11/4/26 | 10:00 am | Zoom / WA | Perpetuation Deposition of Dr. Corey | Krueger v. Clear Spring Prop. & Cas. Co. |
| 11/6/26 | 8:30 am | Missoula | Trial | Wheeler v. Montana State Fund |
| Week of
11/16/26 |
9:00 am | Butte | Trial | Krueger v. Clear Spring Prop. & Cas. Co. |
Montana Workers’ Compensation Stipulations Summary (week ending October 8, 2026)
PLAN 1
| Case Name | DOI | Body Part(s) | Settlement Type | Settlement Amount | Petitioner Attorney | Respondent Attorney |
| Eric Bieschke v. Montana Health Network | Multiple (7) | Multiple; | Full and Final – Medicals Closed | $100,000.00 | Wallace, Lucas
Odegaard Injury Lawyers |
Maynard, Joe
Crowley Fleck PLLP |
| Dianne Kimmel v. Albertsons Companies, Inc. | 1/11/26 | Right knee; | Full and Final – Disputed Initial Compensability | $77,500.00 | Quale, Melissa
Dalpiaz & Associates |
Harrington, Tom
Laird Cowley, PLLC |
| Sandra McKee v. Montana Health Network | 4/10/25 | Cervical and thoracic spine; knee; | Full and Final – Medicals Closed | $5,000.00 | Plath, Russ
Plath Kemmick Law |
Maynard, Joe
Crowley Fleck PLLP |
PLAN 2
| Case Name | DOI | Body Part(s) | Settlement Type | Settlement Amount | Petitioner Attorney | Respondent Attorney |
| Josh Allen v. Employers Compensation Ins. Co. | 6/13/25 | Left arm; | Full and Final – Medicals Closed | $110,000.00 | Braukmann, Matt
Rimrock Law, PLLC |
Smith, Jeff
Neilson, Smith, Dietrich, PLLC |
| Todd Krammarich v. American Zurich Ins. Co. | 2/29/23 | Low back; | Full and Final – Medicals Closed | $50,000.00 | Brady, Caelan
Kovacich Snipes Johnson |
Smith, Charlie
Crowley Fleck PLLP |
| Ronald Udelhoven v. Arch Ins. Co. | 10/22/25; 5/5/26
|
Low back; knee; | Full and Final – Medicals Closed | $12,000.00 | Miller, Megan
Fair Claim Lawyers |
Maynard, Joe
Crowley Fleck PLLP |
ESD Settlements Approved through October 2, 2026
PLAN 1
| Claimant Name | DOI | Body Part | Settlement Type | Settlement Amount | Attorney Name |
| Loggins, Leann | 1/3/22 | Body systems; | Petition for Settlement – Medicals Closed | $140,000.00 | McKeon, Jr.,
Michael |
| Novak, Donald | 4/10/26 | Lumbar; | Disputed Initial Compensability | $7,500.00 | Quale, Melissa |
PLAN 2
| Claimant Name | DOI | Body Part | Settlement Type | Settlement Amount | Attorney Name |
| Dixon, Tarl | 12/12/23 | Knee; | Best Interests | $30,000.00 | None |
| Hernadez Aguado, Jose | 1/23/26 | Finger(s); | Best Interests | $27,500.00 | Wallace, Lucas |
| Ruffolo, Jeff | 1/2/26 | Multiple head; | Best Interests | $9,000.00 | Blackaby, Dean |
| Turner, Anthony | 6/12/25 | Low back; | Disputed Initial Compensability | $80,000.00 | May, Stockton |
PLAN 3
| Claimant Name | DOI | Body Part | Settlement Type | Settlement Amount | Attorney Name |
| Baerlocher, Kristie | 1/14/25 | Knee; | Best Interests | $2,650.00 | None |
| Bales, Brian | 5/12/26 | Pelvis; | Disputed Initial Compensability | $900.00 | None |
| Bitterman, Brandon | 5/5/26 | Toe; | Best Interests | $1,575.00 | None |
| Hansen, Jake | 7/17/26 | Internal Organs; | Petition for Settlement – Medicals Reserved | $115,000.00 | None |
| Hayes Naylor, Madison | 7/27/25 | Knee; | Disputed Initial Compensability | $315.00 | None |
| Holdway, Jennifer | 10/21/22 | Upper back; | Petition for Settlement – Medicals Reserved | $66,337.61 | None |
| House, Quinn | 8/11/25 | Finger(s); | Best Interests | $2,050.00 | None |
| Jay, Richard | 1/8/21 | Low back; | Best Interests | $275,000.00 | McKeon, Jr., Michael |
| McGillis, Stephon | 4/28/25 | Chest; | Petition for Settlement – Medicals Closed | $44,000.00 | Murphy, Matthew |
| Nelson, Gary | 6/29/26 | Internal organs; | Petition for Settlement – Medicals Closed | $3,850.00 | None |
| Pedersen, Kinsey | 1/31/26 | Skull; | Disputed Initial Compensability | $500.00 | None |
| Risteau, John | 10/2/24 | Knee; | Best Interests | $90,157.33 | Miller, Andrew |
| Scheeler, Megan | 9/30/24 | Upper back; | Petition for Settlement – Medicals Closed | $1,550.00 | None |
| Steiner, Doug | 10/14/21 | Knee; | Petition for Settlement – Medicals Reserved | $52,100.00 | None |
Key Insights for Montana Work Comp Professionals
- Settlement Values Demonstrate Significant Variability. The six Workers’ Compensation Court stipulations total $354,500, averaging approximately $59,083 per settlement. Individual settlements range from $5,000 to $110,000, illustrating how compensability, medical exposure, and the circumstances of each claim can substantially influence settlement values.
- High-Value Settlements Are Not Limited to Medical Closure. Among the 18 Employment Standards Division (ESD) settlements reported, the largest was $275,000 for a low-back injury. Notably, two settlements expressly reserving medical benefits totaled $181,337.61. These figures demonstrate that substantial indemnity settlements can occur without necessarily extinguishing future medical obligations.
- Disputed Compensability Claims Continue to Generate Significant Settlements. Five ESD and WCC settlements involving disputed initial compensability totaled $166,215, including an $80,000 low-back claim and a $77,500 knee claim. These outcomes illustrate that disputed liability does not necessarily translate into nominal settlement value, particularly when the parties face meaningful litigation risk.
- Summary Judgment Remains a Prominent Litigation Strategy. The Workers’ Compensation Court reports no decisions during this period, but its pending matters include multiple summary judgment motions involving Rutledge, Guitron, Fievet, and Boyer. The volume of dispositive motions highlights the continuing importance of developing a complete evidentiary record and identifying legal issues suitable for resolution without trial.
- Upcoming Proceedings Highlight the Importance of Medical Expert Testimony. The Krueger litigation includes two scheduled physician perpetuation depositions preceding its November trial setting. These proceedings underscore the importance of preserving medical testimony and establishing persuasive expert opinions concerning causation, treatment necessity, and disability before trial.
