Case Law Database

METHVEN BROWN (Deceased), JANINE BROWN (Widow) vs. COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO, Permissibly Self-Insured, SACRAMENTO COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENT

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration of a decision finding no industrial injury to the decedent's heart or cerebrovascular system. The widow argued the administrative law judge erred by disallowing further discovery from a cardiologist. However, the Board adopted the judge's report, which noted a neurologist already testified that heart trouble and industrial stress were not medically probable causes of the decedent's stroke and death. The applicants failed to demonstrate why a cardiologist would be more competent to offer such opinions.