Legal Definitions - personal-capacity suit

The Personal-Comfort Doctrine is a legal principle that recognizes that an employee's brief, necessary activities for their personal well-being, such as taking a short break to eat, drink, or use the restroom, do not interrupt their "course of employment." This means that even during these moments, an employee is generally still considered to be acting within the scope of their job for certain legal purposes, particularly in determining eligibility for workers' compensation benefits if an injury occurs.

Here are some examples illustrating the Personal-Comfort Doctrine:

• Imagine a software developer working at their desk. They decide to take a quick walk to the office kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. On their way back, they trip over a loose rug in the hallway and sprain their ankle.

  This illustrates the doctrine because getting a cup of coffee is considered a minor act for personal comfort. Even though the developer wasn't actively coding at the moment of injury, the personal-comfort doctrine would likely deem them still within the course of employment, making them eligible for workers' compensation.

• Consider a truck driver on a long-haul delivery. They pull over at a designated rest stop to use the restroom. While walking from their truck to the restroom facility, they slip on a patch of ice in the parking lot and break their wrist.

  This illustrates the doctrine because using a restroom is a fundamental personal comfort activity necessary for the driver to continue their work. The doctrine would ensure that the driver is still considered to be in the course of their employment during this brief, necessary stop, allowing for potential workers' compensation claims.

• A factory worker is on their shift and takes a five-minute break to drink some water and stretch their legs near their workstation. During this brief pause, a piece of equipment malfunctions nearby, causing a loud noise that results in temporary hearing damage.

  This illustrates the doctrine because taking a short break for hydration and stretching are considered personal comfort activities that help the worker maintain their efficiency. Despite not being actively operating machinery at the exact moment, the personal-comfort doctrine would likely consider them still within the scope of their employment for purposes of workers' compensation.