Miguel Cortez vs. American Security Force, Inc., The Hartford

This case involves an applicant, Miguel Cortez, who sought workers' compensation benefits for an alleged injury to his left shoulder sustained on May 28, 2013. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied his Petition for Reconsideration, upholding the administrative law judge's finding. The Board found Cortez failed to meet his burden of proof for a compensable injury arising out of and occurring in the course of employment. This decision was based heavily on the judge's credibility determination regarding Cortez's inconsistent testimony about the incident and conflicting accounts of the injury provided to medical providers.