Shannon K. Patterson v. Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

Summary

The court affirmed the Commission’s decision denying Patterson workers’ compensation benefits for mental health conditions following a child’s fatal choking incident. It held that the Board incorrectly analyzed both the bodily-fluid exposure claim and the mental-stress claim, but those errors were harmless because substantial evidence supported the Board’s alternative finding that the incident was not the substantial or predominant cause of Patterson’s condition. The court also upheld denial of a late second independent medical evaluation and exclusion of disputed psychological testimony.