Legal Definitions - dual-purpose doctrine

The dual-purpose doctrine is a legal principle that holds an employer responsible for an employee's injury that happens during a business trip, even if the trip also serves a personal purpose. This means that if an employee is traveling for work but also takes some personal time during the trip, the employer can still be held liable for any injuries that occur.

For example, if an employee is sent to a conference in another city and decides to take a sightseeing tour during their free time, the employer could be held responsible if the employee is injured during the tour. Similarly, if an employee is traveling for work and decides to go for a run in the morning before their meetings, the employer could be held liable if the employee is injured while running.

Another example could be if an employee is traveling for work and decides to visit a friend or family member who lives in the same city. If the employee is injured while visiting their friend or family member, the employer could still be held responsible because the trip was primarily for business purposes.

These examples illustrate how the dual-purpose doctrine works. Even if an employee is engaging in personal activities during a business trip, the employer can still be held responsible for any injuries that occur because the trip was primarily for work purposes.