Social or Recreational Activity and WC

July 25, 2016

An employee was attending a party sponsored by his employer after working hours. The employer catered food and soft drinks but no alcoholic beverages. However, some employees purchased beer and alcohol and set up an area outside the employer's building on the public sidewalk for the employees to drink if they chose to do so. After drinking several bottles of beer, the employee got into a fight with another employee and was seriously injured. The injuries kept the employee from returning to work. The employee then sought workers compensation benefits.