Matter of Compensation of Hunter

The issue in this workers’ compensation case is which of two governmental entities, the State or Multnomah County (County), is the employer, for Workers’ Compensation Act purposes, of two court reporters (claimants). The referee held that the State was responsible because the claimants were under the direction of the circuit court; the State Accident Insurance Fund (SAIF) was ordered to provide coverage. The Workers’ Compensation Board reversed, holding that the County was responsible. The County appeals. We reverse.

Claimants each were employed as official court reporters in the Multnomah…