Shum v. Department of Labor & Industries

Petrich, A.C.J.

The Department of Labor and Industries appeals from a superior court order allowing prejudgment interest on a widow's pension. It contends that the award was not authorized by statute and that, absent statutory authority, sovereign immunity bars prejudgment interest. We agree and reverse.

Mei Shum is the widow of Allan Shum, who worked as a chemist at Niedermeyer-Martin. He died in 1981. Thereafter, Mei Shum filed a claim for widow's benefits, asserting that exposure to chemicals during his employment proximately caused her husband's death. The Department of Labor and Industries…