En Banc Court Says Getting Coffee with Friend Isn't a 'Social Activity' Outside Scope of Comp Act

The Oregon Court of Appeals, sitting en banc, ruled Wednesday ruled that an bank employee's fall while on her way to meet a friend at the coffee shop in the lobby of her office building wasn't excluded from coverage under the Workers' Compensation Act.  Oregon Revised Statutes Section 656.005(7) specifically excludes coverage for injuries that occur while a worker is engaged in "recreational or social activities primarily for the worker’s personal pleasure." Although Diane Pohrman acknowledged that the purpose of her trip to Starbucks was unrelat...