Supreme Court Awards PTD Benefits to Worker, Upholds Denial of Reimbursement for Surgery

The Alaska Supreme Court ruled that an injured worker was entitled to permanent total disability benefits after a back injury and several unsuccessful efforts to alleviate his pain, but he was not entitled to reimbursement for an operation. Case: Mitchell v. United Parcel Service, No. S-17678, 11/12/2021, published. Facts and procedural history: Stephan Mitchell worked for the United Parcel Service. He began complaining of back pain in 1995. UPS accepted liability for a back injury and began paying temporary total disability benefits to Mitchell. Mitchell's doctor, Dr. Byron Perkins, re...