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

Case No. LAO 0848876
Regular
Dec 27, 2007

MARIA MURILLO vs. HI POINT/NORCO RANCH, REPUBLIC INSURANCE by CRAWFORD AND COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) determined that a diskectomy is not an amputation under Labor Code section 4656(c)(2)(C), limiting temporary disability to 104 weeks. The WCAB affirmed the finding that temporary disability should have been paid from October 6, 2006, to November 24, 2006, but reversed the decision to extend benefits beyond the statutory 104-week limit due to a delay in authorizing surgery. Therefore, the applicant is entitled to additional temporary disability indemnity only for the specified period, with the last payment due November 24, 2006.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationFindings and AwardMachine operatorIndustrial injuryBilateral shouldersBack injuryTemporary disability indemnityLabor Code section 4656Amputation
References
Case No. ADJ9895453
Regular
Aug 21, 2017

SIR WALTERS (Dec'd), AMORN WALTERS (Widow) vs. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration and rescinded an earlier award. The WCAB found that the death certificate alone was insufficient substantial medical evidence to establish the cause of the decedent's death, specifically concerning whether it was due to an industrial injury, a blood-borne infectious disease, or MRSA. Therefore, the case was returned to the trial level for further proceedings and development of the record. The issue of the applicable statute of limitations remains deferred pending this further evidence.

Valley FeverCoccidioidomycosisCocci meningitisMRSACorrectional officerDeath benefitsStatute of limitations240-week limitation420-week limitationLabor Code 3212.8
References
Case No. ADJ7432904
Regular
Sep 24, 2012

NEDA MOTAVAKEL vs. FANTASTIC SAM'S, TOWER SELECT INSURANCE CO., ILLINOIS MIDWEST INSURANCE AGENCY, LLP, STAR INSURANCE CO., ILLINOIS MIDWEST INSURANCE AGENCY, LLP, ENDURANCE WORKERS' COMPENSATION, SOUTHERN INSURANCE CO., FIRSTCOMP OMAHA

This case involves an appeal by Star and Tower Insurance Companies regarding a workers' compensation award. The primary issue is the applicant's average weekly earnings, specifically the inclusion of tip income, which was not adequately substantiated by documentary evidence. The Appeals Board found the initial decision lacked substantial evidence regarding earnings and rescinded the award. The matter is remanded for further proceedings to properly develop the evidentiary record on earnings and insurance coverage dates before a new decision is issued.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardNeda MotavakelFantastic Sam'sTower Select Insurance CompanyStar Insurance CompanyIllinois Midwest Insurance AgencyLLEndurance Workers' CompensationSouthern Insurance CompanyFirstComp Omaha
References
Case No. LAO 0854553
Regular
Oct 01, 2007

DANIEL A. LONG vs. RYANS EXPRESS MOTORCOACH, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration, upholding the finding that the applicant's temporary disability payments for a right shoulder injury terminated on February 28, 2007. The Board ruled that the surgical removal of a distal clavicle spur does not constitute an "amputation" under Labor Code Section 4656(c)(2), which requires severance of an external body part. Therefore, the applicant is not entitled to extended temporary disability benefits beyond the statutory 104-week limit.

Distal clavicleAmputation exceptionSection 4656(c)(2)Temporary disability termination104-week limitation240-week limitationRight shoulder surgeryRotator cuff tearJacob Tauber M.D.Hawkins v. Amberwood Products
References
Case No. SRO 0135735
Regular
Nov 06, 2007

ROBERT ANUSEWICZ vs. JOINT INDUSTRY BOARD OF PLUMBING, dba KONOCTI HARBOR INN AND RESORT, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case concerns an applicant's entitlement to temporary disability indemnity beyond the standard 104-week limit. The Appeals Board rescinded the prior award, ruling that the applicant's hip and knee replacement surgeries did not constitute "amputations" as defined by Labor Code section 4656(c)(2)(C). Therefore, the applicant is limited to 104 weeks of temporary disability indemnity from the commencement of payments, precluding indemnity beyond January 31, 2007.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardRobert AnusewiczJoint Industry Board of PlumbingKonocti Harbor Inn and ResortState Compensation Insurance FundSRO 0135735Opinion and Decision After Reconsiderationtemporary disability indemnityindustrial injuryleft knee
References
Case No. ADJ8026817
Regular
Apr 22, 2013

MARIA OCHOA vs. RANGERS DIE CASTING COMPANY, COMPWEST INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration of a decision finding the applicant sustained injury to her respiratory system and psyche AOE/COE. The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr. Lipper and Dr. Curtis lacked substantiality. Specifically, the physicians failed to provide clear diagnoses, quantify exposures, or adequately explain causation. The Board noted contradictory testimony from the applicant's supervisor and insufficient evidence to support the initial findings.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardMaria OchoaRangers Die Casting CompanyCOMPWEST INSURANCE COMPANYADJ8026817Los Angeles District OfficeOpinion and Order Granting ReconsiderationDecision After ReconsiderationFindings of FactWorkers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge (WCJ)
References
Case No. ADJ10649068
Regular
Dec 08, 2017

PATRICK TERRY (Dec'd), WENDY TERRY (Widow) vs. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case involves a widow's claim for death benefits after her husband died from an injury that contributed to his death. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration, upholding the administrative law judge's finding that the claim was barred by Labor Code section 5406(b). This statute prohibits death benefit claims filed more than 240 weeks from the "date of injury." The Board clarified that for a specific injury, the date of injury is fixed and cannot be extended to the date of death, even if death is a consequence of that injury. Therefore, the widow's claim was dismissed because it was filed beyond the 240-week statutory limit.

Labor Code § 5406(b)death benefits240-week limitationdate of injuryspecific injurycompensable consequencestatute of limitationsPetition for ReconsiderationWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardFindings and Award
References
Case No. ADJ14244909
Regular
Apr 25, 2025

YONGQUAN HU vs. AMERICAN ALLIANCE LOGISTICS, INC., LIANG YE, UNINSURED EMPLOYERS BENEFITS TRUST FUND

Applicant Yongquan Hu and defendant Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund (UEBTF) both petitioned for reconsideration of an Amended Findings and Award. The WCJ's initial decision found an industrial injury resulting in permanent total disability and calculated average weekly earnings based on multiple employers. Applicant disputed the wage calculation method, while UEBTF identified an inadvertently omitted week of wages. The Appeals Board granted both petitions, adopting the WCJ's report and amending the decision to reflect corrected average weekly earnings of $1,462.15, leading to a temporary and permanent total disability rate of $974.77 per week.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardYongquan HuAmerican Alliance LogisticsInc.Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust FundAdjudication NumberVan Nuys District OfficeOpinion and OrderGranting Petitions for ReconsiderationDecision After Reconsideration
References
Case No. ADJ1379080 (VNO 0509816)
Regular
Jun 25, 2014

SUSAN STOCKTON vs. SPIRENT COMMUNICATIONS, AMERICAN HOME ASSURANCE, AIG CLAIM SERVICES, INC.

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and rescinded the prior award, returning the case to the trial level for further proceedings. The defendant argued the temporary disability award violated the 104-week limit and that the judge mischaracterized a medical examiner. The EDD sought reimbursement for overlapping benefits paid to the applicant. The Board agreed that the 104-week limitation applies and that the EDD's lien needs further review to determine any overlapping benefit payments.

Workers' Compensation Appeals Boardcumulative traumapermanent disabilitytemporary disabilityLabor Code section 4656104 week limitationAgreed Medical Examiner (AME)Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME)Employment Development Department (EDD)lien
References
Case No. ADJ7275879
Regular
Jun 03, 2013

BRYAN KNITTEL vs. COUNTY OF ALAMEDA

This case clarifies that salary continuation benefits paid to injured public safety officers under Labor Code section 4850 are counted towards the 104-week maximum payment limit for temporary disability under Labor Code section 4656. The Court of Appeal directed the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board to rescind its prior ruling. Consequently, the Board issued a new decision holding that these 4850 benefits do indeed apply to the 104-week limitation.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardRemittiturSalary Continuation BenefitsPublic Safety Officer104-week limitTemporary DisabilityLabor Code Section 4850Labor Code Section 4656Findings and AwardReconsideration
References
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