Opinion ID: 1167675
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: tryout exception.

Text: Finally, it is apparent that the Board failed to consider the tryout exception to the general rule that a contract for hire must exist before benefits can be awarded. Since Workmen's Compensation law is primarily interested in the question when the risks of the employment begin to operate, it is appropriate, quite apart from the strict contract situation, to hold that an injury during a tryout period is covered, when injury flows directly from employment activities or conditions. 1A Larson § 26.20, at 5-299 (1985). The California Supreme Court, in deciding a similar case, concluded that the fundamental purpose of workmen's compensation is to protect individuals from the special risks of employment. Laeng, 494 P.2d at 8-9. Therefore, when an employer exposes potential employees to risks inherent in a tryout period and the applicant is under his direction or control, any injury resulting during such a period is compensable as a matter of law. Id. See also Mansfield Enters., Inc. v. Warren, 154 Ga. App. 863, 270 S.E.2d 72, 74 (1980); Moore, 223 N.W.2d at 648; Venezian Lamp Co., 168 N.Y.S.2d at 766. The Lodge argues that the tryout exception analysis is inappropriate to this case because Childs was on a personal errand for Tulin and the Lodge did not control the time, manner and method of work. We cannot accept this argument. These facts were disputed at the hearing and never decided by the Board. It is not this court's task on review to reweigh conflicting evidence, or substitute its judgment for that of the Board. Whaley v. Alaska Workers' Compensation Bd., 648 P.2d 955, 957 (Alaska 1982). Nor is it within the province of this court to reweigh witness credibility and competing inferences from testimony because those functions are reserved to the Board. See Delaney v. Alaska Airlines, 693 P.2d 859, 863 (Alaska 1985). Accordingly, this court may not ascertain the facts of this case. However, it is sufficient to note, as suggested by the dissenting board member, that a tryout period may have been initiated.