An employee used a company vehicle to get a cup of coffee and was injured in an accident. Should he have gotten workers’ comp?
What happened
Jesse Cooper, a master plumber and foreman, was on location to discuss the details of a job with a customer.
But when he arrived at the customer’s facility, he found the person he needed to talk to wouldn’t be available for 45 minutes. So Cooper decided to get a cup of coffee at a local deli.
On his way there, Cooper was involved in a car accident that broke one of his arms and both of his legs.
He was granted disability, but his employer appealed, arguing the accident happened on an errand that wasn’t work related.
The court’s decision
A judge upheld the comp award. The judge said injuries that occur during “minor deviations” from employment are covered by workers’ comp if the employee works off site and doesn’t report to the same facility every day.
Do you agree with the judge’s decision? Let us know in the Comments Box below.
Cite: Cooper v. Barnickel Enterprises
