Brown v. Department of Social & Health Services

¶1 The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) appeals a superior court order reversing a Board of Appeals (Board) decision that had reversed an administrative law judge’s (ALJ’s) ruling that Laurie Brown’s actions in restraining a hostile adult at an assisted-living facility had not amounted to abuse. DSHS contends the superior court should have deferred to the agency’s interpretation of abuse, which it argues is supported by substantial evidence. We agree that Ms. Brown’s actions did not amount to abuse under the relevant standards and affirm.

FACTS

¶2 The facts are mainly drawn from…