Controversial ABC science reporter Dr Maryanne Demasi won't be compensated for breaking her hip during a run while working from her Sydney home, after losing an appeal.
Dr Demasi needed surgery after landing awkwardly on her right hip following a fall on the 7km Bay Run, which she was jogging along on the morning of January 15, 2014 while waiting for an interview.
She had argued that, as she worked from home about 30 per cent of the time, it was a "place of work" and the run was part of a work break and she was therefore entitled to an insurance payout from Comcare.
Her case relied on a broad definition of 'place of work' and, crucially what is regarded as an "ordinary recess in employment".
"She claimed compensation on the basis that the injury she suffered arose out of or in the course of her employment," Administrative Appeals Tribunal deputy president Stephen Edward Frost said.
But he found the injury was not sustained during an "ordinary recess" and she was not entitled to compensation.
"I do not accept that the concept of 'place of work' is as broad as Ms Demasi contends," Mr Frost added in his decision, handed down last week.
Dr Demasi made headlines when a TV story about wireless devices, Wi-Fried, breached the ABC's accuracy and impartiality standards when it was broadcast in February on the science program Catalyst.
Two other controversial episodes presented by her in October 2013 which questioned the benefit of cholesterol-reducing medication were also widely criticised.
