Patricia Marek v. Hecla, Limited

Patricia Marek, et al. (Mareks) appeal the judgment entered by the Kootenai County District Court granting Hecla Mining Company, et al. (Hecla) summary judgment. On April 15, 2011, Larry “Pete” Marek was fatally injured in a large rock fall in the Lucky Friday Mine, which is owned and operated by Hecla. Mareks contend that Hecla’s decision to remove a pillar from the mining area constituted sufficiently egregious conduct that Mareks should be allowed to pursue their claims outside of the Idaho Worker’s Compensation Act. On cross motions for summary judgment, the district court ruled that…