CompFox AI Summary
The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the City of Los Angeles' petition for reconsideration, upholding the finding that firefighter Nicholas Kobe's TMJ/myofascial pain injury was compensable. The Board adopted the judge's report, which determined that the applicant was not the initial physical aggressor in an altercation with a fellow firefighter, as the initial physical contact was initiated by the other firefighter. Therefore, Labor Code §3600(a)(7) did not bar the claim, and the applicant was awarded temporary and permanent disability benefits. The defense exclusively argued the initial physical aggressor defense, which the Board found inapplicable based on the facts.
Full Decision Text1 Pages
The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the City of Los Angeles' petition for reconsideration, upholding the finding that firefighter Nicholas Kobe's TMJ/myofascial pain injury was compensable. The Board adopted the judge's report, which determined that the applicant was not the initial physical aggressor in an altercation with a fellow firefighter, as the initial physical contact was initiated by the other firefighter. Therefore, Labor Code §3600(a)(7) did not bar the claim, and the applicant was awarded temporary and permanent disability benefits. The defense exclusively argued the initial physical aggressor defense, which the Board found inapplicable based on the facts.
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