Janet Hufnagel v. Deer River Health Care Center and Mha Insurance Co., and Essentia Health-Deer River and Berkley…

Summary

The Supreme Court of Minnesota held that the employee was entitled to reasonable attorney fees under Minn. Stat. § 176.191 because the employers and insurers disputed which of them was liable for benefits, even though the dispute was framed partly as one concerning causation. The court also held that reasonable fees may compensate counsel for time reasonably spent preparing and responding to unsuccessful theories relating to an earlier injury. The court affirmed the Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals' decision vacating the fee award and remanding for reconsideration.