Court Rules Coffee-Related Choking Incident as Work Accident

Thu 19th Jun, 2025

A recent ruling by the State Social Court of Saxony-Anhalt has established that a choking incident during a coffee break can indeed be classified as a workplace accident. This decision arose from a case involving a foreman who suffered injuries after choking on his coffee during a morning meeting in a construction site container.

The incident occurred when the foreman, while trying to manage his coughing fit, lost consciousness briefly and fell face-first onto a metal grate, resulting in a broken nasal bone. Initially, the responsible employers' liability insurance association ruled that this incident did not qualify as a work-related accident, asserting that coffee consumption falls into the personal realm of the employee. This sentiment was echoed by the Social Court, which sided with the insurance association in the first instance.

However, the State Social Court disagreed with this assessment. The court noted that while, generally, the protection offered by statutory accident insurance does not extend to eating or drinking, the context of this incident was different. The court recognized that the act of drinking coffee during the mandatory work meeting served a dual purpose, enhancing both the work environment and team cohesion.

Moreover, the court pointed out that the coffee provided during the meeting was intended to promote alertness and readiness among the team members. The employer's active role in supplying the coffee further supported the argument that this specific situation was not comparable to an employee consuming coffee during a personal break with a beverage brought from home.

This ruling not only highlights the complexities surrounding workplace safety regulations but also underscores the importance of recognizing the nuances that can influence whether an incident is classified as work-related. The court has allowed for the possibility of a revision to the Federal Social Court, indicating that this case may set a precedent for similar future incidents.


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