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

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
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
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
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
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
Case No. POM 288066
Regular
Nov 25, 2007

SCOTT M. M. RATHKE vs. LLOYD ELECTRIC, REDLAND INSURANCE COMPANY, GALLAGHER BASSETT SERVICES

This case involves a workers' compensation claim for injuries sustained during an altercation with a co-worker. The applicant alleged the co-worker initiated the physical assault, while the defendants argued the applicant was the initial aggressor and therefore ineligible for benefits. The Administrative Law Judge found the defense witness more credible and denied the applicant's claim, a decision upheld by the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board.

Initial aggressorAltercationCredibility findingWCABLabor Code section 3600(e)(7)Petition for ReconsiderationWorkers' compensationAOE/COEDefense witnessApplicant testimony
References
Case No. ADJ8633613
Regular
Apr 01, 2014

BYRON MATTAS vs. SHOKER TRADING CORPORATION dba TRIPLE S. CHEVRON, HANOVER INSURANCE COMPANY

This case concerns a workers' compensation claim where the applicant sustained injuries during an altercation with a customer. The defendant argued the claim was barred by specific Labor Code sections, including being the initial physical aggressor. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) dismissed the defendant's petition for removal and denied reconsideration, upholding the judge's finding that the applicant was not the initial aggressor, based largely on surveillance video. A dissenting commissioner argued that the applicant was indeed the initial physical aggressor by throwing soup, thus barring the claim.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardByron MattasShoker Trading CorporationTriple S. ChevronHanover Insurance CompanyADJ8633613Findings and Orderindustrial injuryheadneck
References
Case No. ADJ317834
Regular
Sep 13, 2011

Alexis Ruiz vs. Valley and Farm, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration of a decision that found Alexis Ruiz was the initial aggressor in an incident leading to his injury. The Board adopted the administrative law judge's (WCJ) report, which found Ruiz's account less credible than the defense's. Key factors included Ruiz's failure to report the alleged assault immediately to his employer, inconsistencies in his testimony, and his cousin's absence as a witness. The WCJ's credibility determination, based on a review of the entire record, was given great weight.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationInitial AggressorAOE/COECredibility FindingTake NothingAffirmative DefenseEvidentiary HearingsSummary of EvidencePercepient Witness
References
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
Case No. ADJ7345520
Regular
Sep 07, 2011

ANTONIO NAVARRO vs. CBS FASTENERS, INC., CYPRESS INSURANCE COMPANY, BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESTATE COMPANIES

This case involves applicant Antonio Navarro's petition for reconsideration of a denial of workers' compensation benefits. The administrative law judge found applicant was the initial aggressor in an altercation with a co-worker on December 4, 2008, rendering his injury non-compensable under Labor Code § 3600(a)(7). Applicant argued the defendant failed to prove initial aggressor status and that he reasonably felt threatened, but his petition misrepresented the record and contradicted his own trial testimony where he denied initiating the physical contact. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration, adopting the judge's report and finding overwhelming evidence, including witness testimony and a police report, that applicant was the initial aggressor.

initial aggressoraltercationsLab. Code § 3600(a)(7)Mathews v. Workmen's Comp. Appeals Bd.credibility determinationwitness testimonypolice reportWCJ credibilityPetition for ReconsiderationReport and Recommendation
References
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