Case Law Database

JOAQUIN ROSALES vs. SWANSON FAHRNEY FORD, ZURICH NORTH AMERICA, GALLAGHER BASSETT SERVICES, INC.

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the defendant's petition for reconsideration, upholding the administrative law judge's award of 8% permanent disability for the applicant's left elbow injury. The award was based on a panel QME's opinion that, while no scheduled impairment existed under the AMA Guides, other factors like constant pain, loss of strength, grasping difficulty, and tendon tears justified a rating under Table 13-22 and *Guzman*. The Board found Dr. Tabaddor's rationale sufficiently supported the impairment rating, distinguishing it from the "add-on" pain provisions addressed in *Blackledge*.