ISABEL FRITZ vs. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case concerns an applicant who claimed a psychiatric injury due to workplace events. The administrative law judge (WCJ) found the applicant sustained an industrial injury to her psyche and that it was not substantially caused by lawful, nondiscriminatory, good faith personnel actions. The defendant filed a petition for reconsideration, challenging the applicant's credibility and the WCJ's findings. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the petition, adopting the WCJ's report and upholding the credibility assessment of the applicant. The WCJ's report details the legal framework for psychiatric injuries and the analysis of specific events, ultimately concluding the applicant's injury was predominantly work-related and not solely due to protected personnel actions.