Mora v. U.S. Bancorp

**Worker Loses Benefits After Tree-Jumping Injury** This case involved a worker at Priority Landscaping and Lawn Care who was injured while jumping from a tree during work hours. The employee had made a bet with coworkers and jumped from the tree as part of this wager, but was hurt in the process. He then filed for workers' compensation benefits, claiming his injury happened while he was working. The court sided with the employer and upheld the workers' compensation commission's decision to deny benefits. The judges ruled that the worker's injury did not qualify for workers' compensation because he was engaged in "horseplay" - fooling around rather than performing actual work duties - when he got hurt. Since the tree-jumping was for a personal bet and not related to his job responsibilities, the injury was not considered work-related. This ruling matters for workers because it shows that not all injuries that happen at work are covered by workers' compensation. To qualify for benefits, an injury must occur while performing actual job duties or work-related activities. Personal activities, games, or fooling around - even during work hours - typically won't be covered, leaving workers responsible for their own medical costs and lost wages.