Court Opinion

ID: 9742199
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 21:08:19.697803+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:29.411117
License: Public Domain

JUSTICE RARICK, dissenting: Because I believe claimant’s choice of walking across the grass was not unreasonable, I must dissent. When claimant exited from her workplace, it was pouring down rain. She chose to cut across the grass to reach her car more quickly. Cutting across the grass is not unreasonable or unusual and, in fact, was acquiesced to by employer. Contrary to the majority’s reading of Hatfill, claimant was not doing anything bizarre such as jumping over a ditch in violation of safety warnings. See Hatfill, 202 Ill. App. 3d 547, 560 N.E.2d 369. The path claimant chose was customary, permitted and reasonable, especially in light of the weather conditions and the lack of handrails on the employee walkway and stairs (a fact the majority fails to recognize). I therefore would reverse the decision of the Commission and reinstate that of the arbitrator.