Thomas v. Keith Hensel Optical Labs

OPALA, Justice:

The issue presented on certiorari is whether every injury that occurs on an employer-provided parking lot while a claimant is going to or coming from work does, as a matter of law, arise out of and in the course of employment. We answer in the negative.

Henry Thomas [Claimant] was employed as a lens grinder by Hensel Optical Labs [Employer]. On the morning of the accident the claimant’s supervisor informed the staff that the lab would close early that day due to inclement weather and advised the employees they should take only thirty minutes for lunch instead of the normal…