The two combatants had already agreed that the fight had started over perceived barbs against one another's taste in music, not moving the tools or another matter related to their work. Given these admissions, Hollis was not injured "because of his employment." (Credit: Shutterstock.com)
A Mississippi Appeals Court has ruled that an employee injured in a debate over music preferences with co-workers did not suffer a compensable injury for workers' compensation purposes.
Jonathan Hollis was installing an acoustics grid in a prison. Two employees, Blanks and Self, were installing a sprinkler system in a nearby part of the prison; they were listening to Christian rap music as they worked. A workplace policy required that, should any employee find music being played offensive, the music must be turned off. Hollis did not enjoy the music and asked that it be turned off. The music was eventually turned off; though the parties agreed that the fight was over music, they each told different stories about the events leading to the fight.
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