Question 1

What was the WCAB's ruling in Kimberly Williams vs. Baker's Burgers?

Accepted Answer

The WCAB granted reconsideration and amended the Findings & Award in this 2008 San Francisco case. The board found the lien claimant liable for $3,504.25 in attorney's fees under Labor Code § 5813 for filing a frivolous lien claim — a clear signal that meritless lien filings carry real financial consequences.

Question 2

What is Labor Code § 5813 and why does it matter in this case?

Accepted Answer

Labor Code § 5813 authorizes the WCAB to impose sanctions and attorney's fees against any party or lien claimant who files frivolous pleadings or pursues tactics solely intended to cause unnecessary delay. In this case, it was the direct basis for the $3,504.25 fee award against the lien claimant. Practitioners researching lien defense strategy or sanctions exposure will find this decision directly on point.

Question 3

What is a frivolous lien claim in California workers' compensation?

Accepted Answer

A frivolous lien claim is one filed without a reasonable basis in law or fact, or pursued primarily to delay proceedings or impose costs on the opposing party. The WCAB has authority under Labor Code § 5813 to sanction such conduct with attorney's fee awards, as it did in this Williams decision. Understanding this standard is critical for defense attorneys evaluating lien exposure on contested claims.

Question 4

When was this decision filed and which WCAB district handled it?

Accepted Answer

This decision was filed on September 12, 2008, and was handled by the San Francisco district of the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board. The case carries ADJ number ADJ2735858. It is classified as a Regular Decision on Reconsideration.

Question 5

How can CompFox help attorneys research cases like Kimberly Williams vs. Baker's Burgers?

Accepted Answer

CompFox gives workers' compensation practitioners instant access to the full text of this decision and 30,000+ WCAB rulings through natural language search — no keyword guessing required. You can filter by body part, date of injury, judge, or legal issue to surface binding authority in seconds, not hours. Create a free account to read the complete decision and start building your research advantage today.

KIMBERLY WILLIAMS vs. BAKER'S BURGERS, CALIFORNIA, INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, By BROADSPIRE, a CRAWFORD CO., For SUPERIOR NATIONAL INSURANCE CO., In Liquidation

What Did the WCAB Rule in This Decision?

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KIMBERLY WILLIAMS vs. BAKER'S BURGERS, CALIFORNIA, INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, By BROADSPIRE, a CRAWFORD CO., For SUPERIOR NATIONAL INSURANCE CO., In Liquidation

What Did the WCAB Rule in This Decision?

Full Decision Text1 Pages

Read the full decision

How Does This Case Apply to Workers' Comp Research?

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