Injury While Preparing Truck at Home for Trip Was Work-Related

A long-haul truck driver was home when his employer called, requiring him to take a two-day trip. As the driver inspected his truck and loaded it with supplies in his driveway, he slipped and fell, injuring his back. His workers’ comp claim was denied on the grounds that he wasn’t acting in the course of his employment when he was hurt. The court disagreed. The driver was paid for the time he spent preparing his truck for a trip. And he was required to inspect and stock the truck pre-trip. Thus, the court ruled that his injury arose out of and in the course of his employment [LeBlanc v. Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission, [2012] NBCA 82 (CanLII), Sept. 20, 2012].