Bull v. Wayco Oil Corp.

229 N.W. 597, 250 Mich. 51, 1930 Mich. LEXIS 916

• Court: Michigan Supreme Court
• Decided: March 7, 1930
• Docket: Docket No. 35, Calendar No. 34,367.
• Status: Published

Opinion

Clark, J.

Plaintiffs, as dependents, seek compensation for the death of Thomas R. Bull, an employee of defendant Wayco Oil Corporation, whose risk under the workmen’s compensation act (2 Comp. Laws 1915, § 5423 et seq.) was carried by the other defendant.

There were three employees at the oil station, Bull, Powers, and Jones. Jones owned a revolver kept at the station. Bull took the revolver to clean it. Powers picked it up, and accidently discharged it, killing Bull.

On review the department found correctly:

“We are of the opinion it is conclusively shown by the testimony in this record that it was not the policy of the company to permit their employees to keep firearms at their gasoline stations, and that their employees were instructed not to resist holdups or robberies on account of the danger to the attendant employees. We think the evidence conclusively shows that the employer did not know the employees of this particular station had this firearm at the station.”

It appears that the accident arose in the course of the employment. But as it did not arise out of the employment the department was right in refusing award.

The case is ruled by Stocker v. Southfield Co., 244 Mich. 13.

Affirmed.

"Wiest, C. J., and Butzel, McDonald, Potter, Sharpe, North, and Fead, JJ., concurred.