Injury during sex while on business trip seen as extension of work
In an interesting ruling, the Australian federal government has been ordered to provide compensation to its employee who incurred an injury while having sex with her boyfriend in a motel during a business trip.
In a report of the Sydney Morning Herald, a federal court ruled that the injury can be seen as having been incurred while undertaking her official duty and should be compensated for medical treatment.
AAT said there was no basis for the government to refuse coverage of the medical bill arising from the injury.
The unidentified woman was on a business trip to New South Wales when she met with her boyfriend and had sex after having dinner.
While engaging in sex, pieces of glass fell from a wall next to the bed, causing cuts on her nose and mouth and she was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
While the couple was not sure what exactly happened, the assumption was that the lively sexual activity must have shaken the glass and caused it to fall.
After returning from the trip, she approached the federal compensatory body but was told that the injury cannot be seen as having incurred while undertaking official duty.
She also filed a petition with the Australian Appeals Tribunal but it made a similar ruling, pushing her to go to the federal court and winning after a five-year fight.