KATHLEEN LEGGETTE VS. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES INSURANCECOMPANY (GEICO)(L-1585-14, MERCER COUNTY AND STATEWIDE)

**What Happened** Kathleen Leggette, a GEICO employee, was injured while working as a pedestrian (not driving or riding in a vehicle). She tried to get personal injury protection (PIP) benefits through New Jersey's "Deemer Statute," which is a law that can provide insurance coverage to employees injured on the job when vehicles are involved. **What the Court Decided** The appeals court ruled against Leggette and sided with GEICO. The court found that New Jersey's Deemer Statute only applies when an insured vehicle is actually being "used or operated" at the time of the accident. Since Leggette was walking and not using or operating a vehicle when she got hurt, the law didn't cover her situation. The court dismissed her claim entirely. **Why This Matters for Workers** This ruling clarifies an important limitation for workers seeking insurance benefits after job-related injuries. If you're hurt at work in a situation involving vehicles, you may not automatically qualify for PIP benefits under the Deemer Statute unless you were actually using or operating an insured vehicle. Workers should understand that pedestrian injuries at work may require different types of coverage, such as workers' compensation, rather than auto insurance benefits.