Opinion ID: 2303668
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Legitimate Interest in the Subject Matter of the Litigation

Text: [¶21] Maine has a legitimate and substantial interest in ensuring that the burden of its residents' [work-related] injuries falls upon their employer rather than upon their communities. Christiansen, 598 A.2d at 177 (quotation marks omitted); see also Harriman v. Demoulas Supermarkets, Inc., 518 A.2d 1035, 1036-37 (Me. 1986) (Maine has an interest in providing... Maine citizens [ ] a means of redress against nonresidents.... [And] concern for the safety of Maine workers engaged in activities in the course of trade that is essential to Maine's economy. (citations omitted)). [¶22] The hearing officer concluded that Maine has a legitimate and substantial interest in the subject matter of the action because (1) Maine has a legitimate interest in ensuring that the burden of its residents' work-related injuries fall upon the employer and not the community; (2) Cavers was a resident of Maine before, at the time of, and after his injury; and (3) Cavers received some of his medical care for the work-related injury in Maine. [¶23] The Astros do not contest this conclusion. They contend mainly that Cavers did not meet his burden of establishing the second part of the analysis, that the Astros should have reasonably anticipated having to defend a compensation claim in Maine.