Ringsaker v. North Dakota Workers Compensation Bureau

SANDSTROM, Justice.

[¶ 1] The North Dakota Workers Compensation Bureau (“Bureau”) appealed from a district court judgment requiring the Bureau to accept Robert L. Ringsaker’s claim and provide benefits. We conclude the district court reasonably decided to sanction the Bureau for its tardy filing of a brief, but conclude the court abused its discretion in the sanction imposed. We reverse the judgment and remand for further proceedings.

I

[¶ 2] On February 3, 2000, Ringsaker filed a claim for workers compensation benefits for a work-related shoulder injury. The Bureau denied the claim. After a…