Claim of Meier v. Haviland Motors, Inc.
The claimant appealed a Workers’ Compensation Board decision from December 21, 1983, which denied benefits, ruling that his May 27, 1978 automobile accident did not arise out of or in the course of his employment with Haviland Motors, Inc. Claimant argued that a prior no-fault arbitration finding of Haviland’s vehicle ownership precluded the Board from revisiting the issue via collateral estoppel. However, the Board found the claimant’s testimony about driving the car for work incredible, noting he had never acted as a salesman and his last work entry was months before the accident, suggesting Haviland bought the vehicle for him. The appellate court affirmed the Board's decision, finding a rational basis for its conclusion even if the ownership issue was considered precluded, as the core issue was whether the accident was work-related, not vehicle ownership.