Kentucky Court: Salesman Dined, But Died on Duty

A salesman's stop for dinner on the way home after making sales calls is part of travel necessary for business and not a deviation from his duties, a Kentucky Court of Appeals ruled. The court in Abbott Laboratories v. Smith, No. 2005-CA-002546-WC (7/28/06), agreed that Barrett Smith was entitled to death benefits and unpaid medical benefits under KRS 342.750. Her husband, Rick, died in a work-related motor vehicle accident as he drove away from a restaurant after having dinner with her. Smith was an employee of Abbott, working for a subsidiary, Ross Products, as a pediatric product sales...