WorkersCompensation.com's CompNewsNetwork: MT Supreme Court Saved State Fund Millions

MT Supreme Court Saved State Fund Millions
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compnewsnetwork on 04 November, 2009 02:49:00
 
Helena, MT (CompNewsNetwork) - The Montana Supreme Court affirmed the Workers'
Compensation Court in the Satterlee work comp case. The case involved three
individuals who all suffered work-related injuries, which resulted in permanent
total disability (PTD). Because of the injuries, Satterlee began to receive PTD
benefits. When Satterlee became eligible for Social Security Retirement
Insurance (SSRI), pursuant to § 39-71-710, MCA, the PTD benefits terminated.
The plaintiffs were seeking to overturn a statute that prohibits the collection
of work comp benefits after a worker is retired. The court majority said
work-comp benefits for permanently and totally disabled workers are meant to
assist them for their "work life," and not into retirement.
The 5-2 ruling came in a case that insurers and businesses said would have cost
them millions of dollars, had it gone the other way.
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