Workers Compensation for Flight Crew Accident On ‘Slip-Time’

The New South Wales Court of Appeal recently considered the entitlement to compensation for a long-haul flight attendant who was knocked off a bicycle whilst on 'slip-time' between flights in Los Angeles, USA. The case of Da Ros v Qantas Airways Limited [2010] NSWCA 89 involved consideration of entitlement under section 9A(1) of the Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW) (Act). Facts

Mr Da Ros worked as a long-haul flight attendant and arrived in Los Angeles on 8 September 2005 between 6:00 am and 7:00 am. He was due to depart Los Angeles for Sydney at 11:00 pm the following day and was paid throughout the period of his absence from his home base in Sydney.

Being a member of the Qantas Flight Staff Recreation Club he had access to Qantas recreational facilities in Los Angeles including a bicycle. On 9 September Da Ros obtained a bicycle and caught a bus to Santa Monica.