Tracy O. Atkins, Appellant v. Inlet Transportation & Taxi Service, Inc. and State of Alaska, Workers' Compensation…

Summary

The Alaska Supreme Court affirmed the Workers' Compensation Commission's dismissal of Tracy Atkins's claim, holding that the settlement with the estate was a statutory "compromise" requiring the employer's written approval under AS 23.30.015(h), that lack of prejudice to the employer does not excuse the failure to obtain such approval, that Atkins did not substantially comply with the requirement, and that Inlet Taxi is not estopped from asserting the employer‑approval defense.