Sallyanne M. Butts, f/k/a Sallyanne M. Decastro v. State of Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development

Summary

The court affirmed the Commission’s decision upholding the Board’s determination that Butts’s work-related fall caused a compensable left-knee injury only through medical stability in May 2012, while her later knee conditions and back condition were not compensable. The court held that the Board properly analyzed the alleged injuries separately, accepted medical evidence rebutting the presumption of compensability, and weighed conflicting medical opinions without impermissibly creating its own medical opinion. It also held that the statute did not require payment for knee replacements performed years later and that Butts waived her constitutional claims through inadequate briefing.