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Harris v. Board of Education of Howard County

825 A.2d 365 (2003)

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Harris v. Board of Education of Howard County

Maryland Court of Appeals
825 A.2d 365 (2003)

Facts

Fifty-eight-year-old Vernell Harris (plaintiff) worked for the Board of Education of Howard County (board) (defendant) as a food-services assistant in a local high school. During her 12 years in that position, her daily responsibilities included laundering linens. Doing the laundry required Harris to drag a heavy box of soap powder outside. One day, while reaching down to tie up the bag of soap powder, Harris cracked her back, resulting in immediate, excruciating pain. The doctor examining Harris concluded, with a reasonable degree of certainty, that her injury resulted from dragging the heavy box of soap powder outside. Harris filed a claim with the Workers’ Compensation Commission (commission), alleging that she was entitled to compensation because her injury was an accidental personal injury incurred during employment. The commission allowed Harris’s claim, but the board sought judicial review, arguing that under state law, workers’ compensation was only available for accidental injuries if such injuries were incurred while performing an unusual activity. The trial-court jury held in the board’s favor, and the intermediate appellate court affirmed. Harris appealed to the Maryland Court of Appeals.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Eldridge, J.)

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