Schiel v. Union Oil Co. of California

OPINION

CARPENETI, Justice.

I. INTRODUCTION

We accepted certification in this case to determine whether the 2004 amendments to AS 283.30.045(a) and AS 28.30.055 violate the plaintiff's right to equal protection or due process under the Alaska Constitution. Applying minimum serutiny, we hold that they do not.

II. FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS

Joseph Schiel sued Union Oil Company of California (UNOCAL or the company) for injuries he suffered when he was working on UNOCAL's Grayling Drilling Platform. Schiel was an employee of Peak Oilfield Services at the time of the injury. He lost two fingers when he was…