Ina of Texas, Petitioner v. Lawana Bryant, Respondent

Summary

The Texas Supreme Court affirmed the Court of Appeals' judgment that summary judgment was improper because a material fact existed regarding Lawana Bryant's employment status at the time of her injury, and that injury is compensable under workers' compensation when a terminated employee is directed or reasonably believes she must return to the employer to pick up her pay. The Court remanded for trial on the merits. Justice Spears dissented, arguing that coverage should require an explicit instruction to return.