City of Kenosha v. Labor & Industry Review Commission

**Police Captain Wins Workers' Compensation for Basketball Injury** This case involved Captain Leipzig, who injured his biceps while playing basketball during his work shift at a fire station. The City of Kenosha denied his workers' compensation claim, arguing that since he was participating in a recreational "well-being activity," his injury shouldn't be covered under workers' compensation. The court sided with Captain Leipzig and upheld the Labor & Industry Review Commission's decision to award him benefits. The court ruled that even though he was playing basketball for fitness, he was still on duty and being paid to be ready to respond to emergencies at the fire station. The fact that he was engaged in physical activity as part of maintaining his fitness for the job didn't disqualify him from coverage. This ruling is important for workers, especially first responders and others whose jobs require physical fitness. It establishes that injuries sustained during work-sanctioned fitness activities can still qualify for workers' compensation, as long as the employee is on duty and the activity serves a work-related purpose. Workers don't automatically lose protection just because they're exercising or participating in wellness programs during work hours.