Croft v. Pan Alaska Trucking, Inc.

OPINION

COMPTON, Justice.

This appeal presents the issue of whether an employer is entitled to be reimbursed for attorney’s fees paid to the employee’s attorney during pendency of a workers’ compensation appeal which was ultimately resolved in favor of the employer. We hold that the Alaska Workers’ Compensation Act (Act) does not permit an employer to recoup payments made to claimants or their attorneys except by withholding future payments under AS 23.30.-155®.

I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

The facts of this case are not in dispute. The controversy arises from our decision barring Damon…