Opinion ID: 2606396
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The test for compensability

Text: Physical injury under the Act includes the work-related aggravation or acceleration of a pre-existing disease or condition. Thornton v. Alaska Workmen's Compensation Bd., 411 P.2d 209, 210 (1966). Liability is imposed on the employer wherever employment is established as a causal factor in the disability. Burgess Constr. Co. v. Smallwood, 623 P.2d 312, 317 (Alaska 1981), reh'g granted, 698 P.2d 1206 (Alaska 1985) (citation omitted). A causal factor is a legal cause if `it is a substantial factor in bringing about the harm' or disability at issue. Id. (citation omitted). An aggravation or acceleration is a substantial factor in the disability if it is shown that (1) but for the employment the disability would not have occurred, and (2) reasonable persons would regard the employment as a cause and attach responsibility to it. Fairbanks N. Star Borough v. Rogers and Babler, 747 P.2d 528, 532 (Alaska 1987). [T]o satisfy the `but for' test, the claimant need only prove ... that the aggravation, acceleration or combination was a substantial factor in the resulting disability. Id. at 533 (emphasis added). To overcome the AS 23.30.120(a) presumption of compensability, an employer must present substantial evidence that either (1) provides an alternative explanation which, if accepted, would exclude work related factors as a substantial cause of the disability; or (2) directly eliminates any reasonable possibility that employment was a factor in causing the disability. Gillispie v. B & B Foodland, 881 P.2d 1106, 1109 (Alaska 1994) (citations omitted). See also Childs v. Copper Valley Elec. Ass'n, 860 P.2d 1184, 1189 (Alaska 1993); Big K Grocery v. Gibson, 836 P.2d 941, 942 (Alaska 1992). If an employer overcomes the presumption of compensability, the employee has the burden of proving all of the elements of her claim by a preponderance of the evidence. Norcon, Inc. v. Alaska Workers' Compensation Bd., 880 P.2d 1051, 1055 (Alaska 1994).