Injury at Company Sponsored Event - Gazette Communications, Inc. v. Powell
The Court of Appeals addressed the issue of injuries at a company sponsored event in Gazette Communications v. Powell , No. 0-633 (Oct. 6, 2010). http://www.iowacourts.gov/court_of_appeals/Recent_Opinions/20101006/0-633.pdf. Claimant injured himself while at a bowling event organized by an employee activity committee. This injury occurred on June 11, 2005. Claimant also alleged an injury on June 20, 2005. The commissioner concluded that the employer derived a substantial direct benefit from the participation of the claimant and thus the injury arose out of and in the course of employment. A 50% industrial disability award was made. The district court reversed, citing Briar Cliff College v. Campolo , 360 N.W.2d 91, 94 (Iowa 1984). The case was remanded to determine the effect of the June 20 injury. The Court of Appeals affirmed the decision of the district court, and focused on the issue of participation in the company event, and the so-called "business related benefit te