Opinion ID: 1530332
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: IAB's Decision

Text: Dalton's burden of proof was to establish that his injury arose out of the course and scope of his employment with the State. [2] Since Dalton was not injured on his employer's premises, he was required to establish that he was injured in or about the employer's business where the employee's services require[d] the employee's presence as part of such service. [3] In granting Dalton's petition, the IAB stated that based on the factual circumstances viewed in totality and giving liberal construction to the Workers' Compensation Act, the Board finds that [Dalton] has met his burden of proof in this matter. The IAB found that Dalton was in or about the employer's business when he was injured because: Dalton's actions were taken in good faith to further his employer's interests; Dalton's duties as a state trooper, as reflected in the testimony of all witnesses, extended to representation at charity and community events; Dalton's participation shed a positive community light on the State Police and may have acted to deter crimes in the area and reflect well on the State Police's services; the softball team was comprised exclusively of fellow state troopers; participation in this event was sanctioned by State Police command and was believed to benefit the State Police and their image in the community; and Dalton never sought to gain personally from his participation as he did not file for a recognition of community service for his personnel file.