An Australian woman who got injured while having sex during a business trip is suing her government employer for compensation. The on-the-clock romp involved her male acquaintance — and had no connection to her job whatsoever.
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The incident, however, did occur in a motel room that the employer had paid for. During sexual intercourse, a glass light fitting tore from the wall above the bed and struck her face. She is claiming physical injuries to her nose, mouth and a tooth, as well as “a consequent psychiatric injury.”
The woman, an Australian government employee who has not been identified, is suing because the 2007 incident occurred “during the course of her employment.” ComCare, the Australian government’s workplace safety organization, initially rejected her compensation claim because sex is not “an ordinary activity,” such as showering, sleeping or eating.
The woman’s attorney disagrees. Suffering harm or damage during recreational sex “is no different than slipping over in the shower or being bashed by a gang of thugs,” said lawyer Barrister Leo Grey, who also added that injuries sustained from work-related drinking or socializing have been compensated.
A federal court judge is now hearing the case.
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Kai Ma is a TIME contributor. Find her on Twitter at @Kai_Ma or on Google+. You can also continue the discussion on TIME’s Facebook page and on Twitter at @TIME.