Shirley L. Shea, Appellant v. State of Alaska, Department of Administration, Division of Retirement and Benefits…

Summary

The court reversed the superior court's affirmance of the denial of Shea's occupational disability benefits claim. It held that Shea needed to prove only that employment was a substantial factor, not the substantial factor, in causing her disability, and that even a relatively small contribution may satisfy that standard if reasonable persons would regard the employment as a cause. The court also concluded that the ALJ inaccurately characterized key medical testimony and therefore required reconsideration under the correct causation standard.