The New Jersey Supreme Court reversed the Appellate Division and ruled that Lapsley’s injuries were compensable under the Workers’ Compensation Act. Lapsley worked as a librarian at the Sparta Public Library. In February 2014, Lapsley’s husband arrived at the library to drive her home. As they walked from the library to the car through the parking lot, they were struck by a snowplow owned by the Township and operated by a Township employee. Lapsley suffered injuries to her leg, requiring multiple surgeries and leaving her permanently disfigured. Lapsley filed a complaint in the Law Division and, later, a claim for workers’ compensation benefits against the Township in the Division of Workers’ Compensation. The Division found that Lapsley’s injuries arose out of and in the course of her employment and were therefore compensable. The Appellate Division reversed. The New Jersey Supreme Court reversed and held that Lapsley’s injuries arose out of and in the course of her employment because the parking lot where she was injured was owned and maintained by the Township, adjacent to her place of work, and used by Township employees to park. Therefore, she was entitled to benefits under the Workers’ Compensation Act.
