Justia Montana Supreme Court Opinion Summaries

This case arose from claims asserted by multiple persons against Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana (BCBSMT) and Montana Comprehensive Health Association (MCHA). Claimants asserted that while they were fully insured by BCBSMT or MCHA, they submitted claims that the insurers denied based upon exclusions contained in their insurance policies. These exclusions were subsequently disapproved by the Montana Commissioner of Insurance (Commissioner) and the insureds sought the previously-denied benefits. The matter evolved into a class action and three of the claimants, Krista Lucas, Brittany Smith, and Alice Speare, were named class representatives. Subsequently, a settlement was negotiated. Three other claimants, Tyson Pallister, Kevin Budd and Jessica Normandeau, objected to the settlement and sought review by the Second Judicial District Court. The District Court approved the settlement. Pallister, Budd and Normandeau appealed asserting numerous errors by the District Court including but not limited to the court’s error in denying Pallister’s motion to conduct discovery. Upon review, the Supreme Court reversed and remanded on a discrete issue of discovery and vacated the District Court’s approval of the Settlement Agreement. View "Pallister et al v. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Montana" on Justia Law

Michael Hicks appealed a district court's order awarding Anthony Varano damages of $616.33 in a dispute following a snowmobiling trip the two took together. Varano allowed Hicks to borrow his snowmobile. The parties disputed the events that took place on the trip, but the vehicle got damaged, and Varano sued Hicks for damages. Hicks challenged the district court's determination that there was sufficient evidence entered at trial to prove the existence of a contract between the parties. The Supreme Court concluded that there was sufficient evidence and affirmed the district court. View "Varano v. Hicks" on Justia Law

Chris Otto appealed a district court's order that denied his motion to dismiss his felony driving under the influence (DUI) charge. The issue on appeal was whether the district court correctly determined that Otto's three prior DUI-related convictions supported the enhancement of his most recent DUI to a felony. Upon review, the Supreme Court answered in the affirmative, and affirmed the district court's decision. View "Montana v. Otto" on Justia Law

Mountain West Bank obtained a summary judgment against Helena Christian School and several individual defendants (HCS) following HCS’s default on loans from Mountain West. HCS appealed the decision of the Montana First Judicial District Court. The issues on appeal were: (1) whether the District Court erred by granting Mountain West’s motion for summary judgment without complying with the requirements of 71-1-222, MCA; and (2) whether the District Court erred by entering a judgment that did not comply with 25-9-203, MCA. Upon review, the Supreme Court reversed and remanded, giving the lower court the mandate to compute and state the exact judgment amount, including interest, pertaining to the unsecured loan; for the secured loan, the court must comply with the provisions of 71-1-222, MCA. Upon receipt of notice of the proceeds received in the sheriff’s sale, in the event of a deficiency, the court must determine the appropriate rate of interest vis-a-vis the deficiency, and enter an order of judgment computing and stating the amount owed by Defendants. View "Mtn. West Bank, NA v. Helena Christian School, Inc." on Justia Law