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

Case No. ADJ3133261 (VNO 0400017)
Regular
Aug 17, 2010

FELIPE TOLENTINO vs. CONCO CEMENT, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, XCHANGING INC., FREMONT COMPENSATION

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) dismissed the lien claimant's petition for reconsideration as premature. The WCAB granted the defendant's petition for reconsideration regarding the temporary disability overpayment issue, deferring it for further proceedings. The Board affirmed the WCJ's findings on injury causation and permanent disability but amended the decision to clarify the overpayment issue. Finally, the WCAB issued a notice of intention to sanction defendant's counsel for attaching and citing unadmitted evidence.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardFELIPE TOLENTINOCONCO CEMENTCALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATIONXCHANGING INC.FREMONT COMPENSATIONliquidationADJ3133261VNO 0400017OPINION AND ORDERS DISMISSING PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION AND GRANTING PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION
References
Case No. ADJ4151507 (SFO 0487197)
Regular
Feb 02, 2020

Tracy Sullivan vs. Café Amsterdam, State Compensation Insurance Fund

The Appeals Board granted reconsideration and amended the previous award, finding the applicant's burn injury did not qualify for the "severe burns" exception to the temporary disability indemnity limit under Labor Code section 4656(c)(3)(D). Consequently, temporary disability indemnity is limited to 104 weeks from the commencement of payments on August 10, 2004. The Board affirmed the WCJ's finding that the applicant's psychiatric injury was compensable, meeting the "sudden and extraordinary" employment condition exception. Clerical errors in the original findings were also corrected.

ADJ4151507SFO 0487197Tracy SullivanCafé AmsterdamState Compensation Insurance FundPetition for ReconsiderationFindings Award and OrderWCJindustrial injurycervical spine
References
Case No. ADJ7166686
Regular
Jul 24, 2012

RICHARD ANDERSON vs. JAGUAR/LANDROVER OF VENTURA, COMPWEST INSURANCE COMPANY

This case involves an applicant who suffered a stroke and subsequent 100% permanent disability following surgery for an industrial shoulder injury. The defendant sought reconsideration, arguing for apportionment to pre-existing conditions and challenging the attorney's fee calculation. The Appeals Board affirmed the 100% permanent disability finding, finding no basis for apportionment as the applicant's pre-existing conditions did not cause the disability itself. However, the Board modified the attorney's fee award, requiring commutation using a specific method and a 3% cost of living adjustment, finding the previously assumed 4.6% to be speculative.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardRichard AndersonJaguar/Landrover of VenturaCompwest Insurance CompanyADJ7166686ReconsiderationFindings and AwardIndustrial InjuryBrain InjuryNeurological System
References
Case No. ADJ17817958; ADJ17817957
Regular
Oct 13, 2025

STEPHANIE TOVAR vs. UNITED PACIFIC, EVEREST PREMIER INSURANCE CO.

This case involves a petition for removal filed by the defendant against an order taking the matter off calendar. The defendant contended that the issue of its affirmative defense under Labor Code section 3208.3(d) should be bifurcated and proceed to trial. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted the petition for removal, but not for the reasons argued by the defendant regarding bifurcation. Instead, the WCAB granted removal solely to address the issue of sanctions, finding that the defendant's petition was frivolous and potentially filed in bad faith due to fabricated citations and misrepresentations of legal precedents. The WCAB issued a Notice of Intention to impose sanctions of up to $2,500.00 jointly and severally against the defendant parties and their attorneys.

RemovalSanctionsLabor Code section 3208.3(d)Frivolous FilingBad Faith ActionsWCJ DiscretionBifurcationPrejudiceIrreparable HarmReconsideration
References
Case No. ADJ4292283 (SRO 0134365)
Regular
Dec 24, 2012

SYLVIA MILES vs. WAL-MART, INC., Permissibly Self-Insured

The Appeals Board granted reconsideration to re-evaluate an interim attorney's fee awarded in a permanent total disability case. Initially, the WCJ awarded $49,286.16, but the applicant's attorney argued it was unreasonably low and should account for Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs). The Appeals Board rescinded the WCJ's decision, finding the attorney entitled to a 15% fee on the commuted present value of the lifetime award, including COLAs. This revised fee, calculated with a 3% COLA effective January 1, 2008, totals $94,985.91, commuted using the "uniformly increasing reduction method."

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPermanent Total DisabilityAttorney FeeReconsiderationCost of Living Adjustment (COLA)Labor Code Section 4659(c)Commuted ValuePresent Value CalculationsUniformly Increasing Reduction MethodLodestar Calculation
References
Case No. ADJ1371452 (FRE 0216183)
Regular
Jan 05, 2012

PATRICK O'BRIEN vs. COUNTY OF FRESNO/SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, YORK INSURANCE SERVICES

This case returns to the WCAB following a court remittitur, directing reconsideration based on the *Baker* decision. The *Baker* ruling clarified that Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) under Labor Code section 4659(c) are applied prospectively from the January 1st following entitlement. For this applicant's total permanent disability, permanent and stationary status and benefit commencement were April 26, 2008, entitling them to the COLA from January 1, 2009. Consequently, the WCAB granted reconsideration, affirmed the original award except for substituted findings regarding the COLA start date, and deferred the attorney's fees issue for trial level determination.

RemittiturBaker v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.Labor Code section 4659(c)COLAPermanent and Stationary DateTotal Permanent DisabilityLife PensionState Average Weekly WageAttorney's FeesJurisdiction Reserved
References
Case No. ADJ4205101
Regular
Jul 23, 2013

SUSAN HECHT vs. WARNER BROTHERS, INC.

This case involved an applicant claiming an industrial injury to her psyche, digestive system, and head, stemming from a change in overtime policy. The defendant argued the psychological injury was non-compensable under Labor Code sections 3208.3(b)(2) and 3208.3(h), as it arose from a good faith personnel action. However, the Board affirmed the WCJ's award, adopting the WCJ's report which found the injury compensable despite the personnel action. The Board also ordered the matter returned to the WCJ to determine the reasonable value of medical treatment provided by lien claimants.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationIndustrial InjuryPsycheDigestive SystemHeadSleep DisorderTemporary DisabilityEmployment Development DepartmentLien Claimants
References
Case No. ADJ4677964
Regular
Apr 17, 2013

EUGENE GILMORE vs. AUTOLAND RESALE CENTER, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case involved a dispute over an attorney's fee in a workers' compensation claim where the applicant was awarded permanent total disability. The Appeals Board rescinded the original award, finding the WCJ's fee calculation was too low and did not properly account for cost of living adjustments (COLAs). The Board determined a 12% attorney's fee was reasonable, including COLAs calculated prospectively at a 3% average increase. The matter was returned to the trial level for recalculation of the attorney's fee based on these directives.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardFindings and AwardPermanent Total DisabilityAttorney's FeeReconsiderationCost of Living Adjustment (COLA)State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW)Permanent Disability Rating Schedule (PDRS)Medical TreatmentUniform Reduction Method
References
Case No. ADJ4655359 (SRO 0135846)
Regular
Apr 08, 2011

FRANCISCO HERNANDEZ vs. SONOMA ROOFING SERVICES, INC., STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and affirmed a prior award of 100% permanent total disability for applicant's industrial injury. While the defendant contested the 100% disability finding and the award of cost of living adjustments (COLA), the Board found sufficient medical evidence supported the permanent disability. However, the commencement date for the COLA increases, specifically its retroactivity, was deferred pending a California Supreme Court decision in *Duncan*.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPermanent Total DisabilityDiminished Future Earning CapacityLife PensionCost of Living AdjustmentsCOLALabor Code Section 4659Duncan v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.Permanent Disability Rating SpecialistQualified Medical Examiner
References
Case No. ADJ147194 (LBO 0326325)
Regular
Sep 07, 2010

MIRTHA SHIMIZU vs. UNITED AIRLINES, GALLAGHER BASSETT

The Appeals Board granted reconsideration to address the defendant's contentions regarding Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) and the calculation of a life pension and attorney's fees. The Board affirmed the finding of 92% permanent disability but rescinded the previous award regarding COLAs, life pension, and attorney's fees. The matter was returned to the trial level for the Workers' Compensation Judge to calculate the specific amounts for the life pension and attorney's fees. Pending this finalization, the defendant was ordered to continue paying permanent disability indemnity.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationPermanent DisabilityLife PensionAttorney's FeesCOLALabor Code Section 4659Date of InjuryWCJDisability Evaluation Unit
References
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