Fliehler v. Uninsured Employers Fund

What Happened
David Fliehler worked for The Restaurant Installation Company, owned by Greg Casey. When Fliehler was injured on the job, he applied for workers' compensation benefits. However, his employer didn't have workers' compensation insurance, which is required by law. The case went to court to determine whether Fliehler qualified as an employee who deserved benefits from Montana's Uninsured Employers Fund - a safety net that pays injured workers when their employers illegally operate without insurance.

What the Court Decided
The Montana Supreme Court ruled in Fliehler's favor. The court found that even though Fliehler's actual work was performed outside Montana, his employer primarily controlled his job duties from within Montana. This made him eligible for workers' compensation benefits from the state's Uninsured Employers Fund.

Why This Matters for Workers
This decision protects workers whose employers fail to carry required workers' compensation insurance. It shows that Montana's Uninsured Employers Fund can step in to provide benefits even in complex situations involving out-of-state work. Workers should know that if their employer controls their job from Montana, they may still be covered by state protections, regardless of where the actual work occurs.