Supreme Court: Dependents Eligible for Death Benefits Don't Need to Be Legally Married

The Alaska Supreme Court ruled Friday that the same-sex partner of a woman who was murdered at her workplace in 2011 is eligible for workers’ compensation death benefits, even though the couple was not married. The high court's ruling overturns a decision by the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission, which refused to consider constitutional arguments and strictly interpreted a state law that says death benefits are available only to married couples. The case is Harris v. Millennium Hotel. Deborah Harris, the surviving partner of Karry Fadely, filed for death benefits in 2012...