Benson v. North Dakota Workmen’s Compensation Bureau
North Dakota Supreme Court
283 N.W.2d 96 (1979)
- Written by Deanna Curl, JD
Facts
The North Dakota Workman’s Compensation Act created a fund for the benefit of employees and their dependents who were injured or killed in hazardous employment. The act explicitly excluded agricultural employees from eligibility for the benefits. Benson (plaintiff) was injured while working on a farm but was denied benefits under the act because of the agricultural exclusion. Benson filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the agricultural exclusion. After the district court ruled that the agricultural exclusion was unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clauses of the United States and North Dakota Constitutions, the appellate court reversed the decision because of a procedural issue. On remand, the district court again found the agricultural exclusion unconstitutional, and the state (defendant) appealed the ruling.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Pederson, J.)
Dissent (Sand, J.)
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