Walking back to squad car from lunch break at home police officer slips on his own icy driveway to hurt shoulder, and wins benefits

Award: 30% R (dominant) Arm

Accident: The police department had a policy of allowing officers to go back home for 30 minutes for a lunch break.  P did that.  He had his radio with him and could have been called into action.  He wasn't.  But on his way back to his car after eating at home, he slipped on snow or ice on his driveway and fell on his right shoulder.  

Why is this work-related?  Because P was en route back to his car to check in on the car's radio within the 30 minute time frame when he slipped, and because radio was on and he was ready to respond if necessary.  Arbitrator relies in part on similar decision by Commission in 03 WC 18535.

Injury: (1) small, full thickness tear of the supraspinatus tendon of the R shoulder; (2) more than 50% tear with retraction of the subscapularis tendon; (3) subluxed long head of the biceps tendon with disrupted medial sling and significant fraying of the long head of the biceps tendon; (4) acromioclavicular joint impingement syndrome secondary to distal clavicle osteolysis; (5) subacromial impingement syndrome; and (6) extensive synovitis of glenohumeral joint and subacromial joint.  

This was treated by surgery:  a R shoulder arthroscopic supraspinatus repair using anchors, subscapularis repair with anchors, biceps tenodesis using a 5.5 mm anchor, subacromial decompression, extensive synovectomy of glenohumeral joint and subacromial joint, and limited open distal clavicle excision.

Restrictions:  Diminished strength and range of motion