Montana Law Week

The Weekly Digest of Montana Law

Attorney fees, $519,837, sexual harassment retaliation

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ATTORNEY FEES: $519,837 fees, $48,258.44 costs, awarded sexual harassment/retaliation Plaintiff who obtained $1,631,834.60 judgment… Defendant’s attorney sanctioned for “underhanded tactics” as to Plaintiff’s cost memorandums, hearing set to determine whether $2,200 voluntarily paid for fees incurred as result of vexatious conduct is adequate… Laird. [Read more…]

Sexual harassment/retaliation, $1,379,338 20-years front pay

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SEXUAL HARASSMENT/RETALIATION: Holien and HRC affirmed in finding that electric co-op office manager was sexually harassed by GM’s “creepy conduct and retaliated against for complaining, but front pay improperly capped by WDA 4-years to $758,454.52, should be $1,379,338 for 20 years as requested… $50,000 for emotional distress proper… $202,496.60 backpay undisturbed… Laird. [Read more…]

Insurance, safety program duty of care

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INSURANCE: Comp insurer with safety program owed duty of care under Restatement of Torts §324(b)-(c) to warn workers of risk of Libby asbestos exposure… summary judgment to worker on duty element of negligence claim against insurer erroneously granted without applying 324A, but correct result for wrong reason… ruling allows 800+ former Grace workers to continue claims against insurer… Eddy affirmed (other grounds, supervisory control). [Read more…]

$4,985,000 interpleader, MVA death/injuries

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SETTLEMENT: $4,985,000 interpleader disbursements to 1 death and 2 injury claimants from insurer of train crew transportation entity, snowplow pass head-on MVA. [Read more…]