Claim Repudiated Over Objection

Jurisdiction in a workers' compensation claim is not conferred by a filed petition, the Montana Supreme Court ruled in allowing a claimant to repudiate his claim to pursue a tort action. The court in re the Workers' Compensation Benefits of Tucker Noonkester, No. 04-746 (7/25/06), appealed a decision by former Workers' Compensation Court Presiding Judge Mike McCarter that Tucker Noonkester, a minor, could repudiate the workers' compensation claim filed on his behalf by his father. This case arises out of an automobile accident that took place Aug. 9, 2000, on Interstate 94. Tucker, 14 at t...