Delaney v. Alaska Airlines

OPINION

MOORE, Justice.

I. FACTS

This case involves a claim for workers’ compensation benefits by Patrick J. Delaney. Delaney was employed as a pilot by Alaska Airlines from 1966 until April 1, 1976. In October 1971 it was discovered that Delaney had Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammation of the ileum. The cause of the disease is unknown. In Delaney’s case the symptoms included bowel obstruction, intestinal bleeding and stomach upset.

Crohn’s disease is usually treated by surgical resection of the affected region of the colon. In many cases surgery provides only a respite, followed by a…