Munich Social Court: workplace massage slip not an accident

A Munich company offered free shoulder and neck massages to its staff during working hours. An employee booked a session, entered the massage room and slipped on spilled massage oil, sustaining a knee joint bruise and an outer meniscus tear. She sued, claiming the injury was an occupational accident covered by Germany’s statutory accident insurance. The Social Court of Munich rejected the claim, stating that a voluntary individual massage is a personal, uninsurable activity, even when provided by the employer for health promotion. The court emphasized that the employer’s payment for the massage and the employee’s time off do not create a statutory accident‑insurance link, and that the walk to the massage room is likewise outside the insured scope.

The ruling clarifies that employer‑sponsored health‑prevention measures such as massages are not automatically covered by occupational accident insurance, distinguishing them from insured workplace activities or company sports events.