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$24,000,000.00

False Claims Act / Whistleblower Settlement

The largest False Claims Act recovery in Montana history. Representing a whistleblower CFO for a large Montana medical facility, Paul Odegaard acted co-counsel with lead counsel, Bryan Vroon, an Atlanta-based attorney, to bring sweeping complaints of wrongdoing to investigators with the Offices of Inspector General in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Justice, which launched a two-year investigation. The six-count lawsuit, filed in United States District Court, District of Montana, centered on alleged violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, a criminal law prohibiting financial arrangements between doctors and hospitals or other health-care providers or companies, and the civil Stark statute, a federal physician self-referral law designed to prevent financial incentives for physicians to steer patients to particular providers from whom they stand to reap benefits. The settlement agreement included a payment to the Federal government and State of Montana in the combined amount of $24 million.

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$41,200,000
Jury Verdict for Environmental Contamination

 Environmental Contamination  

The firm represented several property owners in Sunburst, Montana, against Texaco for causing large scale pollution in the community as a result of historic refinery operations. After a month-long tr...

$36,000,000
Soil and Groundwater Contamination

 Environmental Contamination  

We represented the City of Livingston and over 100 property owners against the railroad for causing soil and groundwater pollution in Livingston during historic railroad operations. After two weeks i...

$13,750,000
Traumatic Brain Injury

 Workers Compensation  

Our client suffered a severe traumatic brain injury when a faulty and improperly maintained parking barrier fell onto his head. After extensive litigation, including significant insurance coverage di...

$3,180,000
Trucking Accident

 Motor Vehicle Accident  

Client was involved in a tractor-trailer accident in eastern Montana resulting in serious and permanent physical injuries. At-fault insurer initially denied coverage for our client's claim on grounds...

$1,950,000
Motor Vehicle Wrongful Death

 Motor Vehicle Accident   Wrongful Death  

The firm's client was killed in a head-on collision on the highway when a vehicle traveling in the other direction swerved left to avoid slow moving traffic. The insurers for both of the other driver...

$1,875,000
Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Personal Injury  

Our Client, an undocumented Mexican worker, was severely injured in a construction accident. Initially, our client was told that he had no recourse for his injuries because of his immigration status. ...

$1,800,000
Insurance Bad Faith Settlement

Paul Odegaard represented an oil field trucker who injured his low back while changing a tire during a work shift. While the work comp claim was initially accepted, the insurer later denied the claim ...

$1,800,000
Mesothelioma

 Asbestos  

Our client was diagnosed with mesothelioma and died as a result of extensive exposure to asbestos working in a copper smelter. The firm recovered more than $1,800,000 from the client's employer and m...

$1,600,000
Commercial Trucking

 Motor Vehicle Accident  

Jointly represented family members were struck while turning on the highway, resulting in serious injuries to the passenger and death to the driver. Through complex litigation the family was able to m...

$1,500,000
Mesothelioma

 Asbestos  

The firm represented a man who developed mesothelioma after years of exposure to asbestos working in a led smelter. The firm recovered a substantial settlement on his behalf following litigation with...

$1,275,000
Carbon Monoxide Wrongful Death

 Wrongful Death  

The firm's client passed away in his sleep as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning in a residential rental apartment. The cause of the carbon monoxide exposure was an improperly maintained furnace ex...

$1,200,000
Motor Vehicle Accident

 Motor Vehicle Accident  

Client was a passenger in a semi-truck driver who was ejected from the cab when the driver fell asleep at the wheel at interstate speeds and hit a guardrail. We ultimately obtained the liability limi...

$1,142,000
Mesothelioma

 Asbestos  

72-year old veteran and janitor contracted mesothelioma due to workplace exposures. We represented the client and later his family after his passing. We were able to make substantial settlement recov...

$1,125,000
Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Personal Injury  

Client involved in a Motor Vehicle Accident while in the course and scope of his employment, which resulted in a workers' compensation claim and a 3rd party claim against the at-fault driver. Claims s...

$1,075,000
Lifetime Medical Care - Motor Vehicle Accident

 Motor Vehicle Accident  

Clear liability motor vehicle accident where client sustained significant injuries that required lifetime medical care and permanently prevented him from returning to work as a carpenter. The defense...

$1,050,000
Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Personal Injury  

Our Client, a water truck driver working in the oil fields of Montana and North Dakota, was severely injured when he was run off the road by another semi-truck. Initially, his Workers' Compensation cl...

$1,000,000
Workers' Compensation

 Workers Compensation  

The firm's client suffered a severe ankle injury working in an automobile maintenance facility. She developed complex regional pain syndrome, and her employer's insurer disputed the relationship betw...

$1,000,000
Unsafe Equipment/Industrial Premises

 Workers Compensation  

70 year old male suffered devastating degloving and amputation injuries while operating unguarded industrial equipment. Policy limits were paid prior to the commencement of litigation....

$975,000
Interstate Trucking Accident

 Motor Vehicle Accident  

19 year old soldier is struck from behind by a truck and trailer while traveling home for Christmas. The liable party's insurer unreasonably refused to settle within the $25,000 policy limits. After...

$865,000
Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Personal Injury  

Client working in the oil fields injured his back, resulting in a defective product, failure to provide a safe workplace, and workers' compensation claims against the employer and other third parties....

$850,000
Highway Construction Vehicle Hit by Semi Truck

 Motor Vehicle Accident  

Client was a highway construction worker whose forklift was hit by a careless, inattentive, and negligent semi-truck driver in a clearly-marked construction zone. The defendant accepted liability, bu...

$825,000
Occupational Disease - Brain Cancer

 Workers Compensation  

Client was a long-term employee of a company manufacturing metal-based chemicals near Helena, MT. Client was diagnosed with Glioblastoma. The Client filed a workers' compensation / occupational disea...

$815,000
Workers' Compensation and Personal Injury Settlement

 Workers Compensation   Personal Injury  

Client injured in a motor vehicle accident in the course and scope of her employment, which resulted in a workers' compensation claim and claim against the third party at-fault driver. ...

$750,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

$750,000, plus payment of all medical expenses, obtained from various insurers for a workplace accident in which our client suffered neck injuries on a construction project. When our client contacted ...

$750,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

$750,000, plus payment of all medical expenses, obtained from various insurers for a workplace accident in which our client suffered neck injuries on a construction project. When our client contacted ...

$705,000
Pedestrian/Motor Vehicle Collision

 Motor Vehicle Accident   Personal Injury  

5 year old boy is struck in a commercial business parking lot by uninsured driver. Policy limits paid through multiple policies. ...

$655,000
Motor Vehicle Accident

 Motor Vehicle Accident  

We obtained $655,000 for our client who suffered foot and lower back injuries in a motor vehicle accident, as well as payment of all medical bills. The insurer had offered a maximum of $100,000 to our...

$645,000
Breach of a Product Warranty

$645,000.00 recovered on behalf of a business client by way of stipulated judgment for breach of a product warranty ...

$575,000
Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Personal Injury  

Client was working in the oil fields when he sustained a severe injury due to a trench collapse. We were initially retained to represent the client on his workers' compensation claim, but when the fac...

$480,000
Motor Vehicle Accident and Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Motor Vehicle Accident  

$480,000 settlement in which our client, a truck driver, was struck by another vehicle, who did not carry auto insurance. We obtained workers' compensation benefits, including payment of all medical b...

$434,100
Motor Vehicle Accident

 Motor Vehicle Accident  

Client sustained severe low-back injuries as a result of a high-speed motor vehicle accident. Client had no discernable wage loss and had only incurred approximately $20,000.00 in accident-related med...

$430,000
Personal Injury Settlement

 Personal Injury  

Following a serious motor vehicle accident, we were able to obtain a $430,000 settlement for our clients, which was all of the available vehicle insurance limits. Before we were retained, our clients ...

$420,000
Roof/Hail Claim Settlement

Client's commercial property sustained hail damage. The insurance company balked at paying a significant portion of the insured damage. After being retained, we pursued claims for property damage and ...

$410,000
Wrongful Resuscitation Jury Verdict

 Wrongful Death  

The firm's elderly client was hospitalized for multiple health problems and had requested do not resuscitate status. The hospital staff violated the hospital's policies and Montana law by performing ...

$400,000
Motor Vehicle Accident

 Motor Vehicle Accident  

$400,000, plus payment of all medical expenses, obtained on behalf of a client who was in a motor vehicle accident while delivering goods for his employer. At the time our client contacted us, he was ...

$400,000
Workers' Compensation and Motor Vehicle Accident Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client was an HVAC technician who was involved in a car accident in the course and scope of his employment. After reaching maximum medical healing, the client was non-surgical, but still unable to re...

$370,000
Fraud and Breach of Contract Settlement

Following client's purchase of a business, client determined that certain representations the seller made were incorrect, resulting in a claim for damages for fraud and breach of contract, which was r...

$360,000
Workers' Compensation Motor Vehicle Accident

 Workers Compensation   Motor Vehicle Accident  

Our client injured his low back in a motor vehicle accident while driving a semi for his employer. Despite the fact that he did not seek medical treatment for his back for almost a month, and he had o...

$350,000
Workers' Compensation Medical Only Settlement - Medicare Set Aside

 Workers Compensation  

Our Client, who had been permanently and totally disabled for worker's compensation purposes since 1991, asked for our help in negotiating a settlement for her claim related medical benefits. This pre...

$345,000
Motor Vehicle Accident

 Motor Vehicle Accident  

Our clients were injured in an auto accident near Billings, Montana. The insurers for the at-fault driver denied liability and offered our clients nothing. At this point, our firm was retained. The in...

$275,000
Motor Vehicle Accident

 Motor Vehicle Accident  

$275,000 settlement, plus payment of all medical bills, stemming from a motor vehicle accident in which our client suffered severe whiplash, resulting in non-surgical neck injuries....

$275,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client sustained an injury to her low back while working for a non-profit entity. The claim was accepted and multiple low back surgeries followed. Client retained us to assist with negotiating a settl...

$269,000
Workers' Compensation Benefits and Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client sustained a low back injury while working as a cabinet maker. The workers' compensation insurer initially accepted liability for the claim, but terminated bi-weekly wage loss benefits after a f...

$260,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client suffered an oil field accident which caused a pelvic injury, resulting in a workers' compensation claim and ultimate settlement. ...

$250,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Paul Odegaard represented a long-time miner in Stillwater County, asserting an occupational disease claim for COPD due to years of exposure to diesel fumes and other contaminants over the years. The i...

$250,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client injured her neck while working as a registered nurse. After multiple medical procedures, she returned to work in a lighter duty capacity but at a higher wage. The workers' compensation insurer ...

$246,500
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client suffered a low back and Achilles tendon injury while working for a local health care provider, resulting in a workers' compensation claim and ultimate settlement. ...

$245,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

$245,000 workers' compensation settlement obtained on behalf of our client who was making minimum wage at the time of her injury. Despite the low hourly rate, and disputed medical treatment, we were a...

$225,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

$225,000 settlement obtained on behalf of our client who was subjected to employment discrimination. Despite the employer offering nothing to resolve the claim, and the fact that our client quickly fo...

$225,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

The insurer denied the workers' compensation claim for a closed head injury that our client suffered while at work. The insurer then hired their own neuropsychologist to give an opinion that our clien...

$215,000
Motor Vehicle Accident

 Motor Vehicle Accident  

$215,000 recovery, plus payment of all medical benefits, on behalf of our client who was struck by a vehicle while sitting on a parking lot bench. The auto insurer's initial offer was less than 20% of...

$215,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client who worked at a local mine suffered a cervical injury which resulted in workers' compensation claim and ultimate settlement. ...

$215,000
Personal Injury Settlement

 Personal Injury  

Our client was in her late 50's and had an extensive history of bilateral shoulder issues. One snowy/icy day in Yellowstone County, she was following a business' directions to use their back door whe...

$206,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client sustained severe pelvic injuries while working for a local mine. After recovering from his injuries, the workers' compensation insurer denied that our client was entitled to permanent and total...

$200,000
Motor Vehicle Accident

 Motor Vehicle Accident  

Total recovery for our client who had been struck on his motorcycle when the at-fault driver failed to stop at a four-way stop. Client had two minor surgeries on his shoulder and foot, but was unable ...

$200,000
Work Related Automobile Accident

 Motor Vehicle Accident  

Paul Odegaard represented a long-time State of Montana employee who was involved in a serious automobile accident during the course and scope of his employment. In addition to the clients work comp cl...

$200,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Workers' compensation insurer sent client who had sustained a major neck injury to an independent medical examination ("IME") with one of its preferred doctors. The doctor said the client did not nee...

$195,000
Personal Injury Settlement

 Personal Injury  

Client was rear-ended by an uninsured driver which caused a neck injury. Client's auto insurer paid full policy limits under client's uninsured motorist coverage. ...

$195,000
Insurance Dispute Settlement

Clients homeowners' insurer refused to pay for the damages resulting from a fire to clients' home and its contents, which resulted in an insurance dispute settlement with the insurer, wherein the insu...

$186,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client injured his low back while working as a manager for a hardware store. Conservative medical treatment followed and the client returned to the time of injury employer. However, the workers' compe...

$175,000
Personal Injury Settlement

 Personal Injury  

$175,000 settlement for a client who was the victim of a dog bite. We fought for insurance coverage under the dog owner's automobile and homeowners' insurance policies. The insurer's disputed liabilit...

$175,000
Health Insurance Denial Settlement

Paul Odegaard represented a local physician whose recommended cervical artificial disc replacement surgery was denied by his health insurer. The insurer claimed the proposed surgery, although FDA appr...

$167,450
Motor Vehicle AccidentMotor Vehicle Accident

 Motor Vehicle Accident  

Client with an extensive history of back, shoulder, and neck treatment involved in a fairly low-speed motor vehicle accident. The at-fault insurer paid for the client's treatment over the first two mo...

$150,000
Motor Vehicle Accident

 Motor Vehicle Accident  

Total recovery for client involved in two separate motor vehicle accidents that were three months apart. We obtained the full liability limits from the at-fault drivers in both accidents, as well as a...

$150,000
Workers' Compensation Benefits and Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client injured his neck at work. The workers' compensation insurer denied liability, claiming that the client did not timely report the injury and the reported mechanism of injury could not have cause...

$150,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client injured his low back while working as a diesel mechanic for an oil field service company. The workers' compensation insurer denied his claim, contending that the client had preexisting low back...

$150,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client injured her neck and low back while working for minimum wage at a coffee kiosk. After the client reached maximum medical improvement, the insurer denied any ongoing liability for medical or wag...

$147,750
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client suffered two work-related injuries six months apart for the same employer. The workers' compensation insurer denied liability for both claims. We worked with the client's physicians to link his...

$140,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client sustained a low back injury at work, resulting in multiple surgeries over the years. The insurer denied that any indemnity benefits were owed because there had been no "wage loss" suffered by o...

$140,000
Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Personal Injury  

$140,000 settlement, plus payment of all medical bills, stemming from a slip and fall in which our client suffered leg and hip injuries. The insurer refused to offer any money until weeks before trial...

$127,000
Motor Vehicle Accident

 Motor Vehicle Accident  

$127,000.00 settlement, plus payment of all medical expenses, on a motor vehicle accident in which our client broke his leg in a motor vehicle accident. The insurance company's settlement offer was le...

$125,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client suffered a low back injury while working in the construction injury, resulting in a workers' compensation claim and ultimate settlement. ...

$125,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client was 50 years old when he injured his low back while working in the oil fields. Initially, the workers' compensation insurer accepted his claim and paid for his back surgery. However, over the c...

$125,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client was 50 years old when he injured his low back while working in the oil fields. Initially, the workers' compensation insurer accepted his claim and paid for his back surgery. However, over the c...

$125,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Paul Odegaard represented a widow whose husband tragically died due to sudden cardiac arrest while he was in the course and scope of his duty as a truck driver. The work comp insurer denied the claim,...

$125,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client sustained a low back injury while working as a heavy equipment operator for a local mine. Disputes arose as to whether the client could return to heavy duty type work and whether the client wou...

$125,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client suffered a knee injury while working in the construction injury, resulting in a workers' compensation claim and ultimate settlement. ...

$120,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Our client injured his low back while working for a landscaping company. The workers' compensation insurer accepted liability only for a "low back strain," but refused to authorize any further medical...

$120,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client suffered a low back injury while working in a quarry and he was forced to change employment to work in a lighter duty job. He subsequently reinjured his low back working for the other employer....

$120,000
Personal Injury and Workers Compensation Settlement

 Personal Injury   Workers Compensation  

The Firm represented a Client and his family of five who had all been exposed to toxic mold in employer provided housing. The employer offered $5,000 to the client for moving expenses contingent upon ...

$120,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

A twenty-something laborer sustained a severe low-back injury in the course and scope of his employment, requiring three surgeries in two weeks. Client made remarkable strides and returned to work. ...

$118,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

$118,000, plus payment of medical expenses, recovered on behalf of our client who suffered knee and back injuries stemming from a workplace accident. When our firm was hired, the insurer had terminate...

$116,000
Motor Vehicle Accident

 Motor Vehicle Accident  

$116,000, plus payment of medical expenses, recovered on behalf of a client who was injured in a motor vehicle accident. Despite the fact that our client had very minimal medical expenses incurred to ...

$110,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client fractured her rib while working as a pharmacy tech. The client initially returned to the time of injury employer. However, her condition worsened and she was forced to leave her employment. Wor...

$100,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

$100,000 workers' compensation settlement in which the insurer denied medical treatment and attempted to force the client back to his time-of-injury position early....

$100,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Total recovery for our client who injured her neck while hauling water after her store flooded. Before our involvement, the insurer expected her to return to work based on one medical provider's opini...

$100,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client, who was a caretaker for at-risk youth, sustained a neck, head, and jaw injuries when one of the patients punched her in the face. For the four years following her injury, she underwent fairly ...

$90,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client came to us when the workers' compensation insurer terminated his bi-weekly wage loss benefits after the treating physician opined that he could return to work without restrictions. We worked wi...

$90,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

$90,000, plus payment of medical expenses, obtained for a client who suffered a shoulder injury just a few months short of his anticipated retirement date. The workers' compensation insurer attempted ...

$90,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Insurer argued it had no responsibility for future medical care or lost wages for mill worker who injured his back because the doctor hired by the insurer said the injury was a temporary aggravation. ...

$87,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Long-time welder for the mine developed a respiratory condition from his years on-the-job. His personal doctor said he could not return to this line of work due to his condition. Once he filed a claim...

$87,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client injured his low back while working as a janitor. His claim was initially accepted by the insurer, but later denied because the employer terminated his employment. After departmental mediation, ...

$85,000
Workers' Compensation Medical and Wage Loss Benefits

 Workers Compensation  

Client injured his neck while working as an electrician for a local mine. The workers' compensation insurer denied his claim. We worked with the client's medical providers, obtained favorable causatio...

$80,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Recovery, plus payment of all due and owing wage loss and medical benefits, for our client who injured his low back in a workplace accident. The insurer initially obtained a medical opinion from its o...

$77,000
Personal Injury Settlement

 Personal Injury  

$77,000 settlement for a client who was injured on a ranch. The insurer disputed liability. Ultimately, we obtained payment of approximately $10,000 in medical bills and obtained a favorable settlemen...

$75,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client had longstanding low back issues after multiple surgeries related to a workers' compensation claim. Client was subsequently involved in a non-work related accident which significantly reinjured...

$75,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client injured his cervical spine while working for a local trucking company. His claim was initially accepted, but later denied by the workers' compensation insurer who contended that his ongoing med...

$70,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

$70,000 settlement just prior to arbitration on an employment wrongful discharge case in which the employer initially offered $5,000....

$70,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Worker with 2009 elbow and tailbone injury was able to return to the same type of work but eventually desired to close out her medical benefits to treat on her own without the insurer questioning her ...

$69,580
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client was overexposed to a chemical at work and was later diagnosed with occupational asthma. He was not able to return to the time of injury position. The insurer disputed that he was entitled to an...

$65,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

$65,000 workers' compensation settlement in which our client injured his arm in a workplace accident. Prior to hiring our firm, the insurer obtained a medical opinion that the injury was not related t...

$60,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client had sustained a neck injury in the course and scope of his employment as a logging truck driver. The insurer denied further medical and wage loss benefits and accused our client of malingering ...

$45,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

$45,000 settlement, plus payment of medical bills, on a workers' compensation claim in which the insurer denied liability and refused to pay any medical bills. The insurer's offer was zero. After reta...

$45,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

$45,000 workers' compensation settlement, plus payment of all medical expenses, in which our client suffered injuries after a fall. Despite the fact that our client was released to return to work and ...

$40,000
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Insurer argued that cafeteria worker who injured her foot when "stepping wrong" in her job could have hurt her foot in the same way anywhere. Firm argued she was more at risk because her job involved ...

$36,920
Workers' Compensation Settlement

 Workers Compensation  

Client was a truck driver who slipped and hit his head and shoulder while climbing out of the truck. While his shoulder healed fairly quickly, he was having regular spells of dizziness that the insure...