Summary: Respondent insurer asks for an order clarifying the scope of the Lockhart lien applicable to medical benefits, urging that the lien applies only to medical benefits which accrued prior to a Court decision finding it liable for the claimant's industrial injury.

Held: The Lockhart attorney fee lien applies to all medical benefits secured through the efforts of the claimant's attorney. Lockhart v. New Hampshire Ins. Co., 1999 MT 205, 295 Mont. 467, 984 P.2d 744. Where the insurer has denied all liability and the Court finds the claim compensable, those efforts encompass both past and future medical benefits, therefore the lien applies to all medical benefits, past and future.

Topics:

Attorneys Fees: Medical Benefits. The Lockhart attorney fee lien applies to all medical benefits secured through the efforts of the claimant's attorney. Lockhart v. New Hampshire Ins. Co., 1999 MT 205, 295 Mont. 467, 984 P.2d 744. Where the insurer has denied all liability and the Court finds the claim compensable, those efforts encompass both past and future medical benefits, therefore the lien applies to all medical benefits, past and future.

Attorneys Fee: Lien. The Lockhart attorney fee lien applies to all medical benefits secured through the efforts of the claimant's attorney. Lockhart v. New Hampshire Ins. Co., 1999 MT 205, 295 Mont. 467, 984 P.2d 744. Where the insurer has denied all liability and the Court finds the claim compensable, those efforts encompass both past and future medical benefits, therefore the lien applies to all medical benefits, past and future.

Cases Discussed: Lockhart v. New Hampshire Ins. Co., 1999 MT 205, 295 Mont. 467, 984 P.2d 744. The Lockhart attorney fee lien applies to all medical benefits secured through the efforts of the claimant's attorney. Lockhart v. New Hampshire Ins. Co., 1999 MT 205, 295 Mont. 467, 984 P.2d 744. Where the insurer has denied all liability and the Court finds the claim compensable, those efforts encompass both past and future medical benefits, therefore the lien applies to all medical benefits, past and future.

¶1 Respondent has asked the Court to clarify the duration of the Lockhart attorney fee lien on medical benefits.

¶2 Respondent argues that the lien should apply only to medical expenses incurred prior to May 15, 2002, which is the date this Court issued its Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Judgment finding respondent liable for claimant's industrial injury. The argument is without merit. In Lockhart v. New Hampshire Ins. Co., 1999 MT 205, 295 Mont. 467, 984 P.2d 744, the Supreme Court held that an attorney's fee lien under section 39-61-420, MCA, "applies to medical benefits recovered due to the efforts of the attorney in a workers' compensation case." (Quoted language ¶ 12; holding in subsequent paragraphs.) In this case, the respondent denied the claim and contested all liability. The efforts of the claimant's attorney secured not only the payment of past medical expenses but also established respondent's obligation to pay future medical benefits. Thus, the lien in this case applies to all medical benefits, past and future.

¶3 On her part, claimant moves for sanctions for respondent having requested clarification. Sanctions are an extraordinary remedy. While the Court finds the request without merit, it notes that the respondent merely asked for clarification and set out its position with respect to the lien. I also note there is no benefit to the respondent even if its position were to be accepted. The only question is whether future medical benefits should be paid entirely to medical providers or whether 25% of those benefits should be paid to claimant's attorney.

¶4 The Court's prior Order to Pay Lockhart Fees shall be deemed amended to provide for payment of the fees on all past and future medical benefits. The request for sanctions is denied.

SO ORDERED.

DATED in Helena, Montana, this 18^th day of July, 2003.

(SEAL)

\s\ Mike McCarter
JUDGE

c: Mr. Paul E. Toennis
Ms. Melanie S. Pfeifer
Submitted: June 3, 2003