Virginia Rouse v. Escambia County School District and Self Insured, OJCC# 17-026263, Pensacola District, JCC Walker; Decision Date: Oct. 6, 2020

Claimant injured in car accident while on a morning “lunch break.” Judge denies compensability as the lunch break was purely personal in nature and of no benefit to the employer. Judge also held that neither the special hazard nor dual purpose exceptions

This case involves an employee who took  her lunch break in the morning so that she could take her son to school. On the date of the accident, she was taking her child to school and was involved in a motor vehicle accident about a half of a mile from her place of employment. The employer denied compensability, contending that she was not in the course and scope of her employment. The judge ruled that the claimant’s morning “lunch break” was purely personal in nature and that the employer did not receive any benefit from the trip. The judge further held that neither the special hazard nor dual purpose exceptions applied. Compensability denied.

 

 

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