Ballweg v. Crowder Contracting Co.

This appeal presents a conflict between a state’s right to administer its workers’ compensation act and an individual’s constitutional right to free exercise of religion.

I

Thomas F. Ballweg appeals from a judgment of the Court of Appeals, affirming a decision of the Workers’ Compensation Commission (the Commission) and holding that he is not entitled to receive further payments of workers’ compensation benefits. Ballweg had refused selective employment made available to him by his employer, Crowder Contracting Company (Crowder), because the selective employment required him to work on…