Metcalf v. Felec Services

OPINION

COMPTON, Justice.

This case presents two issues. The first is whether the Alaska Workers’ Compensation Board (Board) correctly held that Edward K. Metcalf had unreasonably refused treatment after suffering a head injury resulting in recurring headaches. The second issue, raised sua sponte by this court, is whether the Board has the statutory authority to ratify an employer’s unilateral act of suspending benefits when the employer believes the employee is unreasonably refusing medical treatment.

I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

On July 22,1982, Metcalf struck his head against a…