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Case Law Database

Access over workers' compensation decisions, including En Banc, Significant Panel Decisions, and writ-denied cases.

Case No. 2012 WL 3756270
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 28, 2012

American Freedom Defense Initiative v. Metropolitan Transportation Authority

This case involves the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI), a pro-Israeli advocacy group, challenging the Metropolitan Transit Authority's (MTA) refusal to display a political advertisement on buses. The ad, which called for support for Israel and opposition to Jihad, was rejected by the MTA for violating its 'no-demeaning standard,' which prohibits ads demeaning individuals or groups based on characteristics like religion or national origin. AFDI sought a preliminary injunction, arguing that the standard violated their First Amendment rights. The court found that the MTA's standard was content-based because it selectively prohibited demeaning speech only for certain protected characteristics, while allowing it for others. Consequently, the court granted AFDI's motion for a preliminary injunction, deeming the MTA's standard unconstitutional under the First Amendment.

First AmendmentFreedom of SpeechPolitical AdvertisingPublic Forum DoctrineDesignated Public ForumContent-Based RestrictionStrict ScrutinyPreliminary InjunctionMetropolitan Transportation AuthorityAdvertising Standards
References
40
Case No. ADJ10762593
Regular
Feb 06, 2023

NICHOLAS KOBE vs. CITY OF LOS ANGELES, AIMS

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.

Initial physical aggressor defenseLabor Code §3600(a)(7)TMJ/myofascial painPanel Qualified Medical EvaluatorNina Nattiv DDSfirefighter injurytemporary disabilitypermanent disabilitywage calculationattorney fees
References
11
Case No. ADJ19073561
Regular
Mar 17, 2025

JAZMIN LUCERO vs. LIVING SPACES FURNITURE, LLC; ZENITH INSURANCE COMPANY

Applicant Jazmin Lucero sustained an industrial injury while working as a truck driver for Living Spaces Furniture, LLC. Defendant Zenith Insurance Company denied the claim, citing the initial aggressor defense under Labor Code section 3600(a)(7). The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted the defendant's petition for reconsideration, rescinded the prior Findings and Award, and substituted it with new findings. The Board ultimately determined that the applicant's claim was not barred by the initial aggressor defense and that she sustained an injury arising out of and in the course of employment (AOE/COE) to her cervical and lumbar spine.

initial aggressor defenseLabor Code § 3600(a)(7)arising out of and in the course of employmentAOE/COEPetition for ReconsiderationReport and RecommendationFindings and Awardrescindedsubstitutedcervical spine
References
9
Case No. ADJ7806856
Regular
Aug 01, 2013

MICHAEL WEINBERG vs. SUTTON AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES, INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE WEST PLEASANTON

This case involved an employee's claim for a psyche industrial injury. The defendant sought reconsideration of a prior ruling that denied the "initial physical aggressor" defense, arguing the applicant was the aggressor. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration, agreeing that the applicant was not the initial physical aggressor because the co-worker physically pushed him first. The Board affirmed that the applicant's claim was not barred by Labor Code section 3600(a)(7), deferring other issues.

Initial physical aggressor defenseLabor Code section 3208.3Verga v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.AOE/COEweldersaltercationsphysical conductreasonable fear of bodily harmanimosityhostile words
References
8
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Center for Constitutional Rights v. Department of Defense

The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) initiated this Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the Department of Defense (DOD), FBI, and CIA, seeking the release of images and videos of detainee Mohammed al-Qahtani from Guantánamo Bay. While the DOD and FBI acknowledged possessing such records but withheld them, the CIA issued a Glomar response, neither confirming nor denying their existence. The Court ultimately denied CCR's motion for partial summary judgment and granted the Government's cross-motion for summary judgment. The decision cited national security concerns, including potential harm to military personnel, extremist recruitment, compromised intelligence efforts, and adverse impacts on international relations, as valid reasons for withholding the records and for the CIA's Glomar response under FOIA Exemption 1.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)National SecurityClassified InformationGuantánamo BayDetaineeMohammed al-QahtaniSummary JudgmentFOIA ExemptionsGlomar ResponseIntelligence Collection
References
26
Case No. 04-CR-156
Regular Panel Decision

United States v. Taveras

Defendant Humberto Pepin Taveras faces a homicide trial where the government seeks the death penalty for the killings of two associates during a drug trafficking dispute. Senior District Judge Jack B. Weinstein addresses the admissibility of a self-defense claim, emphasizing heightened protections for defendants in capital cases and allowing more leeway for evidence favoring the defendant. The defense intends to establish self-defense through witness statements suggesting the victims, José Rosario and Carlos Madrid, had threatened Pepin and his family. The prosecution disputes this, arguing Pepin deliberately sought out and murdered the victims, thereby precluding a self-defense claim as he initiated the confrontations. The court ultimately rules that Pepin will be permitted to argue self-defense, and related evidence will be allowed, with a self-defense instruction to the jury contingent on sufficient proof being presented.

Self-defenseCapital punishmentHomicide trialEvidentiary rulesDrug traffickingDeath penaltyJury instructionsCriminal lawDue processReasonable doubt
References
45
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 13, 2000

Utica Mutual Insurance v. 215 West 91st Street Corp.

Utica Mutual Insurance Company initiated a declaratory judgment action against Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company and 215 West 91st Street Corp. to determine Atlantic Mutual's obligation to defend and indemnify 215 West in underlying personal injury lawsuits. Utica Mutual had initially defended 215 West but later sought to recover costs from Atlantic Mutual. The Supreme Court denied the defendants' motion for summary judgment and granted Utica Mutual's cross-motion. On appeal, the higher court reversed the Supreme Court's order, finding that Utica Mutual was equitably estopped from denying coverage after assuming the defense without reserving its rights. Consequently, the complaint against Atlantic Mutual and 215 West was dismissed, and it was declared that Atlantic Mutual was not obligated to reimburse Utica Mutual for the defense costs.

Declaratory JudgmentInsurance CoverageEquitable EstoppelSummary JudgmentDuty to DefendIndemnificationAppellate ReviewInsurance LawNew York LawPersonal Injury
References
7
Case No. ADJ9653109
Regular
Sep 06, 2016

William Morales vs. Bonsal American Oldcastle, Inc., Liberty Mutual Insurance Company

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the applicant's petition for reconsideration. The applicant sought review of a decision that denied his injury claim because he was the initial physical aggressor in a workplace altercation. The Board deferred to the administrative law judge's credibility findings, which found the applicant less credible than defense witnesses and a video recording that was inconclusive. Therefore, the Board affirmed the original finding that the applicant was the initial physical aggressor and is barred from compensation.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and OrderInitial Physical AggressorLabor Code Section 3600(a)(7)Credibility DeterminationsVideo FootageOccupational InjuryMachine OperatorPhysical Altercation
References
7
Case No. ADJ2272286 (LAO 0873209)
Regular
Jul 19, 2010

ENRIQUE CASTRO-AGUILAR vs. SECURITAS SECURITY SERVICES, BROADSPIRE

In this workers' compensation case, the Appeals Board granted reconsideration to determine if applicant's injuries were barred by the initial aggressor defense. The applicant, a security officer, was injured while using pepper spray and restraining a suspected shoplifter who was threatening him with a rock. The Board found that the applicant's actions, though potentially unauthorized in manner, were a good-faith attempt to prevent theft and did not constitute willful wrongdoing. Therefore, he was not the initial aggressor, and his claim for benefits is not barred.

initial aggressor defenseunauthorized mannerscope of employmentcourse of employmentaffirmative defensewillful wrongdoingintentional misconductreal present and apparent threat of bodily harmgood faith attemptprevent theft
References
8
Case No. ADJ8745178
Regular
Jan 23, 2014

KHIN LAY vs. SWEDA COMPANY LLC, ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied Khin Lay's petition for reconsideration. The Board adopted the findings of the Administrative Law Judge (WCJ), emphasizing the significant weight given to the WCJ's credibility determination. The applicant, Khin Lay, sought reconsideration after his claim was denied, likely based on findings that he was the initial aggressor in a workplace altercation. The WCJ's report, which the Board incorporated, detailed conflicting testimony regarding the altercation but ultimately found the applicant's actions met the standard for the initial aggressor defense, leading to the denial.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationAdministrative Law JudgeInitial Aggressor DefenseCredibility FindingPhysical AltercationEyewitness TestimonyCourse and Scope of EmploymentAggressivenessReasonable Man Standard
References
3
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