Cases | Hughes v. N.D. Crime Victims Reparations Bd., 246 N.W.2d 774 (N.D. | 2018
The appellant was assaulted and lost wages due to absence from work while testifying against the assailant. The crime victims reparations board denied the appellant’s claim for lost wages. The appellant appealed to the district court, which concluded that the reparations act provided for direct appeal to the supreme court and dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. The supreme court affirmed the district court’s dismissal and the board’s denial of the claim. The legislature explicitly defined the appellate procedure, which provided that a final decision of the board was subject to judicial review in the same manner and to the same extent as a district court decision. The appellant could not recover wages lost due to testimony, as only wages lost because of injury were compensable. However, the appellant was entitled to an award of reasonable attorney’s fees.