Montana Workers’ Compensation Court

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SUBMITTED MATTERS

     Motions & Miscellaneous Matters

     Upcoming Trials, Hearings & Conferences

Montana Workers’ Compensation Stipulations Summary (week ending November 6, 2026)

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ESD Settlements Approved through October 31, 2026

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Key Insights for Montana Work Comp Professionals

1. Significant Settlement Values in Workers’ Compensation Court Stipulations

Four settlements totaling $565,000 were reported, with an average settlement of $141,250. The two largest involved back injuries: Ruozi v. Montana State Fund ($275,000) and Kvamme v. Montana State Fund ($145,000). Both were full and final settlements closing medical benefits. These outcomes demonstrate the potential value of claims involving spinal conditions, although the underlying medical and indemnity allocations are not provided.

2. Summary Judgment Motions Dominate Pending Court Matters

Of the 12 listed submitted motions and miscellaneous matters, seven involve summary judgment or partial summary judgment. The pending matters include competing motions in Rutledge, Guitron, and Fievet. This concentration highlights the importance of developing a sufficient evidentiary record and identifying potentially dispositive legal issues before trial.

3. Evidence Preservation Becomes a Contested Issue

In Burns v. Montana State Fund, the petitioner submitted a motion for sanctions for spoliation of evidence on October 9, 2026. Although the underlying allegations and merits are not detailed, the motion underscores the potential significance of preserving claim files, communications, medical documentation, and other evidence throughout the claims process.

4. ESD Settlements Reveal Substantial Differences Between Settlement Categories

The ten ESD settlements approved through October 31 totaled $209,325, ranging from $3,000 to $85,000. Five Best Interests settlements totaled $134,825, while two disputed initial compensability settlements totaled just $22,500. These figures illustrate the wide variation in settlement amounts and suggest that compensability disputes may resolve at substantially lower values than some accepted claims, although the limited sample prevents broader conclusions.

5. Settlement Activity Highlights the Importance of Medical Closure and Claim Maturity

All four reported Workers’ Compensation Court stipulations involved closure of medical benefits. Their injury dates ranged from February 2023 through November 2024, meaning the settlements occurred approximately two to nearly four years after injury. In contrast, ESD settlements included injuries occurring as recently as September 2026. The comparison illustrates how settlement timing and medical closure can differ significantly depending on the procedural posture and circumstances of the claim.