Alaska Employment Law

An Anchorage jury has returned a defense verdict in a case in which an employee sued her employer as both an employer and landlord. 

Marilyn Coppe worked for Dr. Michael Bleicher.  She sued him for retaliatory discharge (OSHA) and for injuries from both sick-building syndrome and failure to train in proper procedures for handing medical products.  In pre-trial motions, Judge John Suddock dismissed the sick-building claim for lack of proof of causation and dismissed the “bio-hazard claim” because of Workers Comp immunity.  He also barred expert testimony from Anchorage chiropractor James Pizzadili (except as to his chiropractic treatments) and from California medical doctor Gunnar Heuser.  The jury rejected the retaliation claim, 12-0, after one hour of deliberations.  Trial started October 7th; the jury returned the verdict on October 14th.

Marilyn Coppe v. Michael Bleicher, 3AN-05-6006 CI (Alaska Third Judicial District)

David Schlerf represented the plaintiff.  Linda Johnson of Clapp Peterson represented the defendant.  Both are Anchorage attorneys.

Coppe Complaint; Bleicher Answer; In limine Order re Heuser; In limine Order re Pizzadili;  Summary Judgment Order re SBS and Bio-hazard Liability; Special Verdict Form