Case Law Database

DONALD GRIFFIN vs. CITY OF TORRANCE, Permissibly Self-Insured

This case involves a firefighter claiming industrial injury to hypertension, cardiovascular, spine, and gastrointestinal systems. The defendant sought reconsideration, arguing the WCJ erred in denying apportionment for the applicant's hypertensive heart disease and spine injury. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration, agreeing with the WCJ that the orthopedic apportionment by the Agreed Medical Examiner was too speculative. The Board also found the WCJ correctly relied on the internal medicine AME's opinion to conclude the hypertensive heart disease resulted from a single cumulative trauma period.