Montana Chamber Releases 2010 Work Comp Court Review

The Montana Chamber of Commerce is pleased to release its biennial review of the Montana Workers’ Compensation Court. The review analyzes cases from 2008-09 that had an impact on the workers’ compensation system in the state. Twenty-three cases were selected in the study on a variety of work comp issues, including benefits, statutes of limitations, settlements, return to work, course and scope, challenges to statutes, alcohol and drug, causation and burden of proof.

“The Montana Chamber is the only organization that examines the performance of the Montana Workers’ Compensation Court in this way,” said Webb Brown, President and CEO of the Montana Chamber. “Due to the importance of workers’ compensation to the business community, it’s important to understand the latest opinions of the Court and see how cases are judged.”

The Montana Workers’ Compensation Court was created in 1975 to address workers’ compensation cases – a significant development for the business community. Over the past decade, Montana businesses have seen their work comp premiums skyrocket to almost unaffordable levels. Since the courts are a key player in interpreting work comp law, making findings of fact as to work- related injuries, and setting precedent, the Montana Chamber made the decision in 2007 to review the decisions of the Court.

Over the past two years, the Court has made some important decisions – both good and bad. One case, Satterlee v. Lumberman’s Mutual, where the Montana Chamber filed as an amicus, the Court upheld a statute that prevents a person from collecting both retirement income and permanent total disability payments through workers’ compensation.

To view a copy of the Work Comp Court Review, click here: http://www.montanachamber.com/uploads/docs/Voting%20Review%202009/2010%20Workers’%20Compensation%20Court%20Review.pdf.

The Chamber also conducts a review of the Montana Supreme Court every two years. That review was released in early March and can also be view on the Chamber’s website. For more information on the event, please contact Jon Bennion, Government Relations Director for the Montana Chamber at (406)442-2405, ext. 104, or [email protected].

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Mark Your Calendar – Worksite Health Promotion Conference, April 25-26, 2010 – Bozeman http://matr.net/article-38737.html

Webb Scott Brown, CAE, President/CEO

Montana Chamber of Commerce – your business advocate

incl.: MT Chamber Foundation (Governors’ Cup and High School Business Challenge)

MT Justice Coalition, MT Manufacturing Council, and MT Assn. of Chamber Executives

900 Gibbon St / PO Box 1730

Helena, Montana 59624-1730

406-442-2405 ext. 101 / 406-442-2409 fax / 406-431-9508 cell

http://www.MontanaChamber.com / [email protected]

also:

Montana Chamber Choices health insurance http://www.ChamberChoices.com

Montana Chamber blog http://www.MontanaMainStreetBlog.typepad.com

http://www.MontanaSafetyChoices.com (work comp program)