¶118 From original enactment in 1915, the Act has been a delicate public policy compromise, with the essential quid pro quo purposes and effects of (1) depriving workers of otherwise available tort remedies (which previously afforded them opportunity for full compensation), in return for some lesser form of guaranteed no-fault compensation for work-related injury, and (2) depriving employers of advantageous common law defenses in tort, in return for limited and predictable liability for employee injuries. See §§ 39-71-105(1), -124, and -411, MCA (2011); Royal Ins. Co. v. Roadarmel , 2000 MT 259, ¶ 29, 301 Mont. 508, 11 P.3d 105 ; Henry v. State Comp. Ins. Fund , 1999 MT 126, ¶ 12, 294 Mont. 449, 982 P.2d 456 ; Sitzman v. Shumaker , 221 Mont. 304, 307, 718 P.2d 657, 659 (1986) ; Madison v. Pierce , 156 Mont. 209, 213-14, 478 P.2d 860, 863 (1970) ; Mahlum v. Broeder , 147 Mont. 386, 392-95, 412 P.2d 572, 575-77 (1966) ; State ex rel. Morgan v. Indus. Accident Bd. of Mont. , 130 Mont. 272, 278-79, 300 P.2d 954, 958 (1956) ; Chisholm v. Vocational Sch. for Girls , 103 Mont. 503, 512-13, 64 P.2d 838, 844 (1936) ; Shea v.North-Butte Mining Co. , 55 Mont. 522, 528-29, 179 P. 499, 501 (1919) ; Lewis & Clark County v. Industrial Accident Bd. , 52 Mont. 6, 9-13, 155 P. 268, 270-71 (1916).
The foregoing purposes of the Montana Workmen's Compensation Act have been expressed and reiterated by this Court ad infinitum for over 50 years. Shea v. North-Butte Min. Co., 55 Mont. 522, 179 P. 499; Bruce v. McAdoo, 65 Mont. 275, 211 P. 772; Kerns v. Anaconda Copper Min. Co., 87 Mont. 546, 289 P. 563; Moffett v. Bozeman Canning Co., 95 Mont. 347, 26 P.2d 973; Clark v. Olson, 96 Mont. 417, 31 P.2d 283; State ex rel. Morgan v. Indus. Accident Bd., 130 Mont. 272, 300 P.2d 954; Mahlum v. Broeder, 147 Mont. 386, 412 P.2d 572. To accomplish these purposes, the Act makes the employer liable for payment of compensation to his injured employee.