Plooster v. Pierce Packing Co.

The claimant, Joan Plooster, filed a petition in the Workers’ Compensation Court alleging that the respondent, State Compensation Mutual Insurance Fund (State Fund), was responsible for payment of certain medical bills which it had refused to pay. Shortly before trial, the State Fund conceded liability for payment of the medical bills. At trial, the issues decided were whether claimant was entitled to a statutory penalty, attorney fees, and costs. The Honorable Nat Allen, substituting for Judge Timothy Reardon, found that respondent had acted unreasonably when it delayed payment of claimant’s…