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Access over workers' compensation decisions, including En Banc, Significant Panel Decisions, and writ-denied cases.

Case No. MON 0318706
Regular
Jul 11, 2008

EDGAR BENITEZ vs. IRISH COMMUNICATIONS, AIG CLAIMS SERVICES, INC.

This case concerns the appropriate permanent disability rating schedule. The applicant argues the 1997 schedule applies due to his physician indicating permanent disability before January 1, 2005, an exception to the 2005 schedule's use. The Board granted reconsideration, agreeing that the physician's report finding the applicant eligible for vocational rehabilitation constituted an indication of permanent disability, thus triggering the 1997 schedule. The matter is returned to the trial level for rating under the 1997 schedule and subsequent issuance of a decision.

Permanent Disability Rating ScheduleLabor Code Section 4660(d)Primary Treating PhysicianVocational RehabilitationComprehensive Medical-Legal ReportPermanent and Stationary StatusGenlyte Group v. ZavalaZenith v. CuginiVera v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.Agreed Medical Evaluator
References
3
Case No. SAC 308714, SAC 341852
Regular
Oct 01, 2007

WAYNE LEWIS vs. BEUTLER HEATING AND AIR, ARCH INSURANCE, ST. JOHN'S RETIREMENT VILLAGE, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case concerns the applicability of either the 1997 or 2005 Schedule for Rating Permanent Disabilities. The applicant argued a December 2004 treating physician's report indicated permanent disability, thus requiring application of the older 1997 Schedule. The Board denied reconsideration, holding that the physician's report did not state the applicant was permanent and stationary, a necessary condition under Labor Code section 4660(d) and *Vera v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.* for the 1997 Schedule to apply. Therefore, the 2005 Schedule was correctly applied.

Permanent disability schedule1997 schedule2005 schedulepermanent and stationaryP\&SLabor Code section 4660(d)treating physician's reportratable disabilityVera v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.August 18
References
1
Case No. ADJ6879193
Regular
Feb 10, 2012

KATHERINE LAU vs. CUPERTINO UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT, KEENAN and ASSOCIATES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration to review the application of the 1997 vs. 2005 Permanent Disability Rating Schedules. The Board reversed the WCJ's finding, determining there was insufficient pre-2005 medical evidence of permanent disability to apply the 1997 schedule. Consequently, the Board applied the 2005 schedule, reducing the applicant's permanent disability rating from 29% to 12%. One Commissioner dissented, arguing the record supported the use of the 1997 schedule based on pre-2005 indications of permanent disability.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationFindings and AwardPermanent Disability Rating1997 Schedule2005 ScheduleLabor Code Section 4660(d)Comprehensive Medical-Legal ReportTreating Physician ReportIndustrial Injury
References
4
Case No. VNO 0495347
Regular
Jul 07, 2008

JOHN LIEBIG vs. LEXINGTON ACQUISITION, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case concerns an applicant who sustained admitted industrial injuries, and the central dispute is which permanent disability rating schedule applies. The defendant sought reconsideration, arguing the 2005 Schedule should apply instead of the 1997 Schedule used by the trial judge. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, finding that pre-2005 reports did not sufficiently indicate permanent disability to trigger the exception allowing the 1997 Schedule. Consequently, the case was returned to the trial level for permanent disability determination under the 2005 Schedule.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardLexington AcquisitionState Compensation Insurance FundVNO 0495347Opinion and Order Granting ReconsiderationFindings and AwardWCJindustrial injuryneckback
References
0
Case No. SJO 0262198
Regular
Aug 17, 2007

ANTHONY LAYTON vs. CITY OF SANTA CLARA

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and reversed its prior decision, holding that the 1997 permanent disability rating schedule, not the 2005 schedule, applies to this case. This decision was based on two exceptions to the 2005 schedule's applicability: the treating physician indicated permanent disability before January 1, 2005, and the employer provided proper notice of rights before the 2005 schedule became effective. Consequently, the applicant's permanent disability is rated at 37% under the 1997 schedule, totaling $38,950.00.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsideration2005 Schedule1997 ScheduleLabor Code Section 4660(d)ExceptionsTreating Physician ReportSection 4061 NoticePermanent Disability RatingPolice Officer
References
2
Case No. ADJ3291959 (VNO 0487238)
Regular
Feb 27, 2009

JOHNNY HERRERA vs. PEPSI BOTTLING GROUP, OLD REPUBLIC INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration, finding the 1997 Permanent Disability Rating Schedule applied. This decision reversed the trial judge's ruling that the 2005 Schedule was appropriate. The Board determined that the employer's obligation to provide notice under Labor Code section 4061 prior to January 1, 2005, triggered the application of the earlier schedule. Therefore, the case was returned for further proceedings and a new decision based on the 1997 Schedule.

Permanent disability rating scheduleLabor Code section 4061 notice1997 Schedule2005 Scheduletemporary disability indemnitycessation of benefitsnotice exceptionPendergrass v. Duggan PlumbingPTPQME
References
3
Case No. SJO 243795
Regular
Sep 17, 2007

BAIRO SISIC vs. VASONA MANAGEMENT, INC., UNITED STATES FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY

The Appeals Board granted reconsideration because the administrative law judge (WCJ) incorrectly applied the 1997 Permanent Disability Rating Schedule. The WCJ's reasoning for using the older schedule, based on pre-existing pathology and unadmitted medical reports, was flawed. The case is remanded for a new decision on which rating schedule applies, considering Labor Code § 4660(d) and whether specific reports or prior temporary disability payments trigger the 1997 schedule.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardVasona ManagementInc.United States Fire Insurance CompanyCrum & Forsterpermanent disability rating1997 Schedule2005 Schedulepre-existing pathologydegenerative disc disease
References
5
Case No. STK 183882
Regular
Feb 24, 2009

ROBERTO REYES vs. NEW IMAGE FOAM PRODUCTS INC., EVEREST NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY

This case concerns whether the 1997 or 2005 Permanent Disability Rating Schedule should apply to an applicant's back injury. The majority affirmed the administrative law judge's use of the 2005 schedule, finding no basis to deviate. However, a dissenting commissioner argued the 1997 schedule should have been used, citing the employer's May 2004 admission that the treating physician indicated permanent disability. This admission, the dissent argued, falls under an exception to the 2005 schedule's applicability, as interpreted by relevant case law.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationPermanent Disability Rating Schedule1997 PDRS2005 PDRSLabor Code section 4660(d)Treating Physician ReportPermanent and Stationary StatusVocational RehabilitationAdmission
References
7
Case No. ADJ1099369
Regular
Jul 01, 2009

SANDRA SMULLEN vs. CITY OF SAN DIEGO, PERMISSIBLY SELF-INSURED

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration of a prior award, finding that the applicant's pre-2005 treating physician reports sufficiently indicated permanent disability. Consequently, the Board applied the 1997 permanent disability rating schedule instead of the 2005 schedule. This resulted in an amended award of 56 percent permanent disability based on the stipulated rating under the 1997 schedule. The decision reversed the prior award that had utilized the 2005 schedule and awarded 35 percent permanent disability.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPermanent Disability Rating Schedule2005 Rating Schedule1997 Rating ScheduleLabor Code section 4660(d)Petition for ReconsiderationIndustrial InjuryPolice OfficerBack InjuryTreating Physician
References
6
Case No. ADJ160544 (LBO 0359144), ADJ4209690 (LBO 0372848), ADJ4666278 (LBO 0389220)
Regular
Mar 09, 2009

THELMA MORALES vs. CEDARS SINAI HEALTH SYSTEM

This case concerns whether the 1997 or 2005 Permanent Disability Rating Schedule applies. The defendant argued the WCJ erred by using the 1997 Schedule. The Board found that Dr. Lane's 2004 report did not indicate permanent disability as required to trigger the older schedule. Additionally, the final temporary disability payment occurred after January 1, 2005, meaning the Labor Code § 4061 notice exception did not apply. Consequently, the Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the previous findings, and remanded the cases for rating under the 2005 Schedule.

Permanent Disability Rating Schedule1997 Schedule2005 ScheduleLabor Code § 4660(d)Medical-Legal ReportTreating PhysicianPermanent and Stationary StatusCubital Tunnel SyndromeTemporary Disability IndemnityLabor Code § 4061 Notice
References
12
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