A FAKE ROBBERY This Month’s Strange Workers’ Comp Claims
AND A HAPLESS TREE CLIMBER
At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, we see dozens of workers’ compensation cases every year, so many that we sometimes feel like we’ve seen it all. That is, until we read about these outlandish workers’ comp claim situations and realize the law gets a lot weirder than most people think. BOSS “FAKE ROBS” HIS EMPLOYEE Running security exercises for your business is one thing, but terrorizing your employees is quite another. In 2016, a California court awarded organized a mock robbery of his store while she was on duty. Wearing a terrifying ski mask and dark sunglasses, the “robber” came into the store during the night and slapped a paper bag onto the counter in front of her, along with a note: “I have a gun. Put your money in the bag.” At first, the plaintiff tried to reach for the silent arm, but the “robber” tapped threateningly on the note in response. After she handed over the money, the robber — who actually turned out to be the employer’s quality control manager — left, and the woman broke down, sobbing. $360,000 to the woman alleging that her employer had
The jury found sufficient evidence that she’d been assaulted and undergone severe emotional distress. WHEN CLIMBING TREES ISN’T PART OF YOUR JOB, FALLING OUT OF ONE ISN’T COMPENSABLE
Last year, a Mississippi pipefitter filed a claim requesting compensation for the severe injuries he sustained after falling almost 25 feet from the top of a gum tree, arguing that the damage occurred in the course of
employment. But when it came to light that climbing trees wasn’t any part of the worker’s job, the court became skeptical. It turned out that as the worker climbed higher and higher, his co-workers urged him to come down. Instead of doing so, he shook the branches harder and harder, until one eventually broke and sent him plummeting to the ground. The claim was dismissed by the appellate court.
Have a Laugh!
Leftover Turkey Ramen
Ingredients •
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4 eggs
1 leftover turkey carcass
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4 ounces bacon
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6 scallions, divided
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4 portions fresh, not instant, ramen noodles
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8 slices ginger
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6 dried shiitake mushrooms
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2 cups leftover turkey, shredded
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16 cups water
Directions 1. Remove most of the meat from the turkey carcass, shred, and set aside. Put carcass in a large stockpot, along with 3 scallions, ginger, mushrooms, and water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 3 hours. 2. Place eggs in a small saucepan
3. Cook bacon until crisp. Drain, chop, and set aside. Chop remaining scallions. 4. Once the broth is done simmering, prepare the fresh noodles according to package directions. Divide noodles among 4 bowls and cover with broth. Add shredded turkey, chopped scallions, chopped bacon, and an egg to each bowl.
and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then immediately remove pot from heat and let sit for 4 minutes. Transfer eggs to an ice bath to cool.
Recipe courtesy of TwoPeasAndTheirPod.com
www.puttingpeoplefirst.law | 3
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