Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Harris

Beasley, Judge.

We granted this discretionary appeal to determine whether an employer is responsible for temporary partial disability benefits where the employee refuses the employer’s offer of full-time suitable work and instead accepts a part-time position with another employer.

Brenda Harris, who was hired as a stocking clerk by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. in September 1996, was injured at work on December 12. After she was released for light-duty work, Wal-Mart made such work available to her. Harris returned to Wal-Mart on January 17, 1997, but left the job after two hours because of pain and…