An Oregon appellate court said that Carolyn McDermed was still at work during her coffee run, since she was expected to perform community policing duties while not in her office.
An Oregon police officer who was hit by a car while walking to get coffee is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits because the accident happened in the course of her employment, the Oregon Court of Appeals has ruled.
Carolyn McDermed was a police lieutenant for the city of Eugene, Oregon, court records show. She worked for the department’s internal affairs office, and most of her duties included office work.
In April 2008, McDermed was struck by a car while she was walking to get a cup of coffee across the street from her office. She suffered multiple injuries to her head, right foot and chest.