James Jurgensen, Relator, vs. Dave Perkins Contracting, Inc., and TBG Claims Services, Respondents

── James Jurgensen, Relator, vs. Dave Perkins Contracting, Inc., and TBG Claims Services, Respondents ── Court: Supreme Court of Minnesota Date: June 25, 2025 Category: General Decision: Affirmed 1. The 2024 amendment to Minn. Stat. § 176.081, which increases the cap on attorney fees in workers’ compensation cases, does not apply retroactively. 2. The Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals (WCCA) did not err by declining to automatically approve the requested excess fee. 3. Minnesota Statutes § 176.081, subd. 1(a) (2022), which provides a presumptive cap on attorney fees, does not violate the Contracts Clause of the Minnesota Constitution. 4. The WCCA did not err by affirming the compensation judge’s denial of excess attorney fees under Irwin v. Surdyk’s Liquor, 599 N.W.2d 132 (Minn. 1999). Affirmed.