McManus's Case

289 Mass. 65 | Mass. | 1935

Crosby, J.

This is a proceeding under the workmen’s compensation act. The employee, a boy sixteen years old, was employed as a caddy by the Trapelo Golf Club. On the morning of June 12, 1933, while he was standing on the first tee of the employer’s golf course watching two other caddies who were preparing to play golf, one of them took a practice swing with his club without looking to see if any one was behind him and struck the claimant “across the nose and above the right eye.” The caddies were permitted by the club to play golf on Monday mornings. The only question for decision is whether or not the injury arose out of and in the course of the employment. The single member found that the claimant’s testimony was in accordance with the truth. He stated that he was constrained to find that the injury was not one which arose out of and in the course of the claimant’s employment and for that reason he dismissed the claim. The reviewing board upon the evidence approved this finding and dismissed the claim, and a final decree was entered accordingly.

It is plain that the findings were warranted and that the ruling was correct. It is conceded by the insurer that on Monday mornings the caddies themselves were permitted to use the golf course, that the claimant was about to avail himself of this opportunity, and that while waiting on the first tee he was injured. While he waited he did so for a purpose of his own and not for anything having to do with his employment or connected with it. It has been frequently decided by this court that an injury to an employee may arise out of and in the course of his employment even if he is not actually engaged in the performance of specific duties of his employment. Sundine’s Case, 218 Mass. 1. Von Ette’s Case, 223 Mass. 56, 61. White v. E. T. Slattery Co. 236 Mass. 28, 34. The principle of these cases, however, is not applicable when, as here, the facts show that the claimant was standing upon the tee waiting for an opportunity to play golf for his own pleasure. There was no evidence which would warrant a finding that at the time the injury was received he was engaged in any work for his employer. His employment did not require him to be at the tee, and he was not engaged in any work or aiding in any way the performance of duties for which he was employed. In these circumstances a finding would not be warranted that his injuries arose out of and in the course of his employment. The case at bar is governed by O’ Toole’s Case, 229 Mass. 165, Rochford’s Case, 234 Mass. 93, Maronofsky’s Case, 234 Mass. 343, Babineau’s Case, 254 Mass. 214, Savage’s Case, 257 Mass. 30, and Horton’s Case, 275 Mass. 572.

Decree affirmed.