Jessica Simpson's Pal Injured by Paparazzi

By Lesley Messer

11/02/2008 at 04:25 PM EST

A Saturday night out turned ugly for Jessica Simpson and her best friend, hairstylist Ken Paves, when he was injured by photographers outside L.A. hotspot Madeo.

As the friends exited the restaurant, photographers swarmed the singer, 28. Paves stepped in to protect Simpson when a pap struck him in the face with a camera. An observer tells PEOPLE that the injury was an accident.

"Everyone was pushing each other to get a picture of Jessica," a source tells PEOPLE.

With blood running down his face, the two got into their vehicle, and Paves was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center according to a source. No police charges have been filed.

A call to Paves was not returned.

• Reporting by K.C. BAKER, HOWARD BREUER and PERNILLA CEDENHEIM

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