Court Upholds Award of Benefits for Bus Driver's Shoulder Injury

The Arkansas Court of Appeals upheld an award of benefits to a bus driver for a shoulder injury. Case: Rock Region Metro v. Bearfield, No. CV-24-344, 02/26/2025, published. Facts: Erica Bearfield worked for Rock Region Metro as a bus driver. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rock Region installed sneeze shields on buses to protect drivers by separating them from the passengers. During her eight-hour shifts, Bearfield would have to repeatedly open and close the sneeze shield to accept fares from passengers. Bearfield filed a workers’ compensation claim in September 2021, asserting that sh...