Split Court Denies En Banc Review for Worker Injured at Home

The Court of Appeals for the 4th District of Texas will not revisit a state employee’s challenge to the denial of her claim for benefits for injuries she suffered while working at home. The State Office of Risk Management took the position that Edna Martinez’s injuries were not compensable because she was working at home without prior written authorization, in violation of state law. According to SORM, Government Code Sections 658.010 and 659.018 preclude work at home without prior written approval. A trial judge agreed and granted SORM’s motion for summary judgme...