TRENTON, N.J.—A computer technician struck by a car while crossing a street to purchase cigarettes and snacks is entitled to medical and temporary disability workers compensation benefits, a New Jersey appeals court ruled last week.
In 2003, the technician, Carlos Cruz, was driving a company van en route to a client when he parked across the street from a delicatessen to take his “usual morning break,” according to court records in the case of Carlos Cruz vs. Micros Retail Systems Inc.
The deli was about five blocks off the direct route from his employer’s office, where Mr. Cruz began his trip, to the client’s site. While crossing the street to the deli, a car struck Mr. Cruz and he suffered severe injuries, court records state.
Micros denied that the injuries arose while Mr. Cruz was within the scope of his employment and a witness testified that company policy required employees to go directly to their worksites.
Micros appealed the judge’s decision, but the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division agreed with the reasoning of the workers comp judge.