Two employees get into an altercation about something they have to do at work. A hits B. Who is entitled to workers comp benefits?

Two employees get into an altercation about something they have to do at work. A hits B. Who is entitled to workers comp benefits?

• A. A
• B. B
• C. Both
• D. Neither

Answer: (B)

In California, workers’ compensation covers injuries that occur in the course of employment, even if another employee caused the injury. A fight between coworkers is still work-related, so the employee who was struck (the one who was injured) is entitled to workers’ comp benefits. The person who started the fight would not receive benefits for injuries resulting from his own willful misconduct. So the injured employee is entitled to benefits, while the aggressor is not.

In California, workers’ compensation covers injuries that occur in the course of employment, even if another employee caused the injury. A fight between coworkers is still work-related, so the employee who was struck (the one who was injured) is entitled to workers’ comp benefits. The person who started the fight would not receive benefits for injuries resulting from his own willful misconduct. So the injured employee is entitled to benefits, while the aggressor is not.