City of Stockton v. Workers' Compensation Appeals Board

Opinion

SCOTLAND, P. J.

This case poses the question whether a police officer who injured his leg while off duty, playing in a pickup game of basketball at a private facility, is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.

A workers’ compensation judge (WCJ) concluded the injury arose out of and occurred in the course of the police officer’s employment because, in the WCJ’s view, the officer reasonably believed that “his participation in cardiovascular activities such as basketball were [szc] expected by his employer.” In a two-to-one decision, the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board denied the…