Alaska Supreme Court

State of Alaska, Dfcs, Office of Children's Services v. Brett Lane

February 9, 2024542 P.3d 1124

Summary

The court affirmed the denial of a new trial on liability because the evidence supported the jury’s findings that OCS retaliated against Lane and constructively discharged her. It vacated the damages judgment because erroneous instructions failed to distinguish damages caused by Wilson’s independent conduct from damages caused by OCS’s retaliation and wrongful termination, requiring a new trial on noneconomic damages. The court also remanded for an evidentiary hearing on whether the economic damages duplicated workers’ compensation benefits.