'Going-and-Coming' rule examined
Wednesday, April 30, 2008 Filed in: Workers
Compensation| New Jersey
The Appellate Court reversed the decision of the
workers' compensation judge, finding the
"travel-time" exception to the going-and-coming rule
does not apply where a salaried employee is
reimbursed for gas, tolls, and wear and tear on his
vehicle, but was not paid wages for the time of his
commute to and from work.
In Scott v. Foodarama, 398 N.J. Super. 441 (App. Div. 2008), the Appellate Division found that the claimant was merely driving to work when the accident happened, and was barred from receiving compensation for injuries sustained on his commute. In other words, the claimant was engaged in his normal commute. The fact that his commuting expenses were paid by the employer did not make the claim fall "within the course of" his employment.
What makes this case notable is that the claimant was actually reimbursed for his commuting expenses by the employer. (Decided February 27, 2008, link to full decision: http://lawlibrary.rutgers.edu/courts/appellate/a3936-06.opn.html)
In Scott v. Foodarama, 398 N.J. Super. 441 (App. Div. 2008), the Appellate Division found that the claimant was merely driving to work when the accident happened, and was barred from receiving compensation for injuries sustained on his commute. In other words, the claimant was engaged in his normal commute. The fact that his commuting expenses were paid by the employer did not make the claim fall "within the course of" his employment.
What makes this case notable is that the claimant was actually reimbursed for his commuting expenses by the employer. (Decided February 27, 2008, link to full decision: http://lawlibrary.rutgers.edu/courts/appellate/a3936-06.opn.html)
