Home/Case Law/Cynthia Hargerty vs. HealthNet, Inc.; Safety National Insurance
Regular DecisionRegular Panel Decision

Cynthia Hargerty vs. HealthNet, Inc.; Safety National Insurance

Filed: Oct 29, 2025
Oakland
ADJ9477887

CompFox AI Summary

Applicant Cynthia Hargerty, a substance abuse counselor, sustained injuries in 2013 and settled her case for 27% permanent disability in 2018. She later petitioned to reopen, asserting her psychiatric injury was compensable under Labor Code section 4660.1(c) and that vocational reporting indicated total disability. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed the WCJ's December 23, 2021 F&O, stating the prior finding on psychiatric injury non-compensability was final due to lack of appeal. The Board also deemed the vocational expert's opinion insufficient as it relied on psychiatric impairment statutorily barred and inadequately addressed non-industrial apportionment factors.

Full Decision Text1 Pages

Applicant Cynthia Hargerty, a substance abuse counselor, sustained injuries in 2013 and settled her case for 27% permanent disability in 2018. She later petitioned to reopen, asserting her psychiatric injury was compensable under Labor Code section 4660.1(c) and that vocational reporting indicated total disability. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed the WCJ's December 23, 2021 F&O, stating the prior finding on psychiatric injury non-compensability was final due to lack of appeal. The Board also deemed the vocational expert's opinion insufficient as it relied on psychiatric impairment statutorily barred and inadequately addressed non-industrial apportionment factors.

Read the full decision

Join + legal professionals. Create a free account to access the complete text of this decision and search our entire database.

Ready to streamline your practice?

Apply these legal strategies instantly. CompFox helps you find decisions, analyze reports, and draft pleadings in minutes.