NC Supreme Court Sends Parking Lot Case Back to Commission

The North Carolina Supreme Court has sent a tricky workers' compensation case back the Industrial Commission for additional fact-finding. Cardwell v. Jenkins Cleaner involves a plaintiff who was injured when she slipped on some black ice three feet away from the back door to her office. Our coverage of the Court of Appeals' split-decision in the case is here.

The Supreme Court, in a short per curiam order, concluded that the Industrial Commission failed to make findings on one of the key factual issues: whether the cement area where plaintiff fell was part of defendant-employer’s premises or part of the parking lot. Accordingly, the Court remanded the case back to the Commission for additional fact-finding.

Burton Craige assisted with the amicus brief filed by the North Carolina Advocates of Justice in this case.