A bit of de-stressing has become a lengthy legal process, with the High Court now hearing the case of a public servant seeking compensation after being injured during sex on a work trip in 2007.

The worker from a Federal Government Department allegedly sustained the injury in a hotel room in regional New South Wales.

Court reports say the woman was hit in the face by a dislodged light fitting during the heat of passion. The case was challenged in the High Court this week after the Federal Court recently ruled in favour.

Initially the Commonwealth claimed that as the injury occurred after hours and in an activity not directly related to her employment, she should be denied compensation. The worker's defence said it was not reasonable for the her employer to dictate her nocturnal activities, but that it had booked her room and so was liable.

The court has reportedly withheld its judgement.