Chavez v. ABF Freight Systems, Inc.

OPINION

ROBINSON, Judge.

{1} In these workers’ compensation eases, we apply the “traveling-employee rule” announced in Ramirez v. Dawson Prod. Partners, Inc., 2000-NMCA-011, ¶¶ 11-20, 128 N.M. 601, 995 P.2d 1043. We consolidate these cases on our own motion because they involve similar facts and a common legal issue. Both employees are truck drivers employed by ABF Freight Systems, Inc. (ABF). Both were dispatched from Albuquerque to Weatherford, Oklahoma, and both took federally-mandated eight-hour rest breaks at a motel designated and paid for by ABF. In the first case, Mr. David Simon Chavez…