Office party = head injuries.

Sound outlandish?

The headline on www.CNN.com last week was begging to be clicked on: "Woman dropped on head alleges 'negligent dancing.' "

It turns out that missteps at those workplace fetes can injure more than your ego, reputation and credibility.

According to the Associated Press, a Chicago woman sued her boss's husband, claiming that he flipped her into the air and dropped her on her head while dancing at an office party in April 2006.

Lacey Hindman's lawyer, David Baum, claimed she suffered a fractured skull and brain injuries and is seeking damages for medical bills and lost wages for time missed from work.

Jodie Beach, with the Etiquette Advantage, said her first reaction to the story was "almost to laugh. We've all seen it. We've all seen the disasters."

"I've just seen too many good people go down in flames because of the choices they've made at these functions."

When it comes to the office party, Beach says the most common screw-up is the random hookup with a boss or colleague.

She said alcohol is usually the culprit behind those unforgettable I-can't-believe-he/she-just-said/groped/drank-that moments. Moments like making out with your boss in the restaurant coat room, asking your very masculine co-worker if she's a lesbian, or passing out on your supervisor's couch after taking that 11th shot of tequila.

And there seems to be no shortage of alcohol available at work events. Alcohol is served at 73 percent of company parties, according to career information company Vault Inc.

People make the grave mistake of thinking that these parties are social events, rather than an extension of the business day, Beach said.

That's when the excessive drinking and inappropriate behavior creep in.

Yes, you should have fun. But the event should be seen as a team-building experience, Beach said.

This is your chance to meet the spouses of co-workers and hobnob with the higher-ups.

Doing that drunk, well ... let's say it'll give your boss an impression of you, all right — probably just not the one you wanted.

And yet, for all of this constantly espoused advice, people still make the mistake of getting smashed and acting stupid.

That burns Beach. She likens it to people on motorcycles not wearing helmets — it's something people should do, but don't.

On the other hand, no one should be expected to wear a helmet to an office party. Beach offers these suggestions to avoid being an office-party casualty.

DO