• An injury sustained during a soccer tournament organized by the employer is not a work-related accident.
• Coverage under statutory accident insurance may apply, in particular, if the event constitutes a company-sponsored social gathering.
• Events aimed exclusively at a specific group of people do not meet this requirement.
• Supporting activities, catering, or spectator attendance do not alter this classification.

The Case—Final Match With a Torn Cruciate Ligament

The employee’s (plaintiff’s) employer—a company with approximately 3,900 employees—organized a soccer tournament featuring preliminary rounds, a final, and an evening event. A maximum of approximately 1,500 people could participate in the preliminary rounds. On the day of the final, about 315 employees actively participated. The employee injured her left knee during the final match. Among other things, she was diagnosed with a torn cruciate ligament. The responsible workers’ compensation association refused to recognize the injury as a work-related accident. The employee’s lawsuit before the Hanover Social Court was unsuccessful.

The Decision—No Insurance Coverage for a Selective Sports Tournament

The court ruled that it was not a work-related accident under Section 8 of Book VII of the Social Code (Sozialgesetzbuch (SGB VII)). Playing soccer was not objectively related to the insured activity. While company-sponsored social events may be covered by insurance, SGB VII, Section 8 requires that they are in the...

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