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Case Law Database

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

Case No. ADJ1787355 (SAC 0336410) ADJ1318220 (SAC 0338049)
Regular
Aug 06, 2012

MARY JANE EIDMAN vs. LAW OFFICES OF THOMAS PLUMB, PARADISE CHEVROLET, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND, SUBSEQUENT INJURIES BENEFITS TRUST FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund's (SIF) petition for reconsideration, affirming the finding of total permanent disability due to a prior condition combined with a later industrial injury. The Board granted the applicant's petition, reversing the original decision to make the applicant personally liable for a medical-legal report. SIF is now liable for the reasonable cost of Dr. Abeliuk's report, which is deemed a necessary medical-legal expense for the applicant's claim. The case was returned for further proceedings to determine the cost of Dr. Abeliuk's report.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardSubsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fundpermanent disabilitymedical-legal expensereconsiderationadministrative law judgesubstantial medical evidencequalified injured workermedical reportingliability
References
5
Case No. VNO 0438915
Regular
Oct 23, 2008

Applicant vs. University of Southern California

This case concerns an applicant's Petition for Reconsideration of a WCAB decision denying injury claims against the University of Southern California (USC). The applicant alleged a physical altercation with his supervisor, Mr. Pickering, during a meeting on September 20, 2001, which he claims caused various injuries. However, the WCJ found the applicant lacked credibility due to inconsistencies in his testimony and failure to report the incident promptly. The WCJ relied on testimony from witnesses who stated Mr. Pickering merely touched the applicant's shoulders and noted the applicant's history of prior injuries and medical issues not fully disclosed.

WCABPetition for ReconsiderationUniversity of Southern CaliforniaBiological Safety Specialistspecific injuryanimositycredibility issuesshoulder touchingprior injurieshypertension
References
0
Case No. ADJ6958416
Regular
May 19, 2011

Norma Zell vs. ALAMEDA COUNTY, SEDGWICK CMS

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted the applicant's first petition for reconsideration, amending the original award to increase her permanent disability rating from 20% to 24% based on corrected medical calculations. The Board denied the applicant's second petition for reconsideration regarding her left wrist injury, adopting the judge's reasoning that it was not a compensable industrial injury. The original finding of a cumulative industrial injury to the right wrist during her employment as a deputy sheriff was affirmed. The award was amended to reflect the 24% permanent disability rating and adjusted attorney fees.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCumulative Industrial InjuryRight Wrist InjuryDeputy SheriffPermanent Disability RatingAMA GuideWhole Person ImpairmentPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardDecision After Reconsideration
References
0
Case No. ADJ3388364 (VNO 0526713) ADJ2633182 (VNO 0342427)
Regular
Oct 24, 2014

RICHARD FROMKNECHT vs. SUBSEQUENT INJURIES BENEFITS TRUST FUND

The applicant sought reconsideration of a decision denying him benefits from the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF). The applicant claimed a pre-existing disability from a 1996 spinal injury caused further permanent disability with a subsequent 1998 spinal injury. However, both injuries became permanent and stationary concurrently, meaning there was no distinct pre-existing ratable disability at the time of the second injury. Therefore, the applicant did not meet the criteria for SIBTF benefits under Labor Code section 4751, and his petition for reconsideration was denied.

Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust FundLabor Code section 4751Petition for ReconsiderationFindings and OrderStipulations with Requests for AwardsAgreed Medical Evaluatorapportionmentpermanent and stationarypreexisting disabilityindustrial injury
References
0
Case No. ADJ2562434 (OAK 0287611) ADJ1551889 (OAK 0306392)
Regular
Dec 10, 2012

JOHN HENDERSON vs. AIRE SHEET METAL, SUBSEQUENT INJURIES BENEFITS TRUST FUND

This case concerns an applicant seeking benefits from the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIF) after sustaining two upper extremity injuries. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) reconsidered the original award, finding that the applicant was not "permanently partially disabled" by the first injury prior to the second injury. Therefore, the WCAB determined that the SIF was not liable for benefits, as the applicant did not meet the threshold requirement for SIF eligibility under Labor Code section 4751 and relevant case law. The WCAB also amended the applicant's permanent disability to 89%, aligning with a prior stipulation.

Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fundpermanent total disabilitypermanent partial disabilitylabor disablinghealing periodpermanent and stationarycumulative traumacontralateral upper extremitiesFerguson v. Industrial Accidents Commissionlabor market
References
4
Case No. ADJ8243867, ADJ8015702, ADJ7226529
Regular
Nov 13, 2015

William McGaugh vs. Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund, Keenan & Associates

This case concerns an applicant seeking benefits from the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIF). The applicant's prior permanent disability award, with 15% apportionment to pre-existing conditions, was found not to be res judicata for SIF liability. The Board affirmed the denial of SIF benefits because the applicant failed to prove his pre-existing conditions were labor disabling or resulted in ratable permanent disability prior to the industrial injury. Medical opinions and applicant testimony did not establish a substantial link between prior injuries and actual work disability before the new injury.

Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust FundSIF liabilitylabor disablingpermanent disabilityapportionmentres judicataWCJFindings and OrderPetition for Reconsiderationmedical opinion
References
3
Case No. ADJ2651648 (MON 0342704)
Regular
Jul 18, 2017

TERESA SANCHEZ vs. HAWTHORNE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, SUBSEQUENT INJURIES BENEFITS TRUST FUND

The Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) sought reconsideration of an award granting applicant benefits for a 2006 industrial injury, arguing the prior disability rating was insufficient. The applicant had two industrial injuries: a 1997-2002 cumulative trauma and the 2006 specific injury, both causing fibromyalgia. The WCJ found the combined disability from both injuries exceeded the threshold for SIBTF benefits, based on her primary treating physician's rating. The Appeals Board affirmed the WCJ's decision, adopting the judge's report which found the applicant met the criteria for SIBTF benefits, and denied the SIBTF's petition.

Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust FundSIBTFcumulative traumacompensable consequencefibromyalgiapermanent and stationaryAgreed Medical ExaminerAMA Guides1997 rating scheduleprimary treating physician
References
0
Case No. ADJ4599426 (STK 0172874) ADJ1616335 (STK 0186679)
Regular
Dec 16, 2010

JASON HONOR vs. DOT FOODS, AMERICAN PROTECTION INSURANCE COMPANY, BROADSPIRE, SENTRY INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied American Protection's petition for reconsideration regarding applicant Jason Honor's claims. The Board granted the applicant's petition for reconsideration, amending the initial findings to correct a clerical error in the date of injury for the cumulative trauma claim and to include a finding of psyche injury. However, the Board affirmed the initial decision that the applicant did not sustain injury to his hips or bilateral lower extremities in the June 4, 2000, injury. Further development of the record is required regarding temporary disability, permanent disability, and apportionment for the June 4, 2000 injury.

WCABPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and OrdersNew and Further DisabilityCumulative TraumaStipulated AwardClerical ErrorApplicant's PetitionAmerican Protection InsuranceSentry Insurance
References
1
Case No. ADJ1916556 (RIV 0038645) ADJ2708670 (ANA 0358650)
Regular
Nov 15, 2013

GHEORGHE TOMA vs. BASIC ELECTRIC, INC.; SUBSEQUENT INJURIES BENEFITS TRUST FUND

The Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) successfully petitioned for reconsideration, overturning a previous finding that the applicant was eligible for SIBTF benefits. The Board determined that the applicant did not qualify because the WCJ improperly considered disability arising from the natural progression of a prior injury after a subsequent injury. SIBTF liability is based solely on the disability level at the time of the subsequent injury, which was 32% in this case. Consequently, the applicant was found not qualified for SIBTF benefits.

Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust FundLabor Code section 4751permanent disabilitycumulative traumaspecific injuryPetition to ReopenAgreed Medical Examinerapportionmentnew and further disabilityHaendiges v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.
References
2
Case No. ADJ3953602 (SRO 0260827) ADJ2646453 (SRO 0133845)
Regular
Nov 14, 2012

ROBERTO HERNANDEZ vs. MILL VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT, SUBSEQUENT INJURIES BENEFITS TRUST FUND

The Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) seeks reconsideration of an award finding the applicant totally permanently disabled due to industrial injuries sustained in 2004. The WCJ found the combined injuries greater than 70% and the second injury itself greater than 35%, entitling the applicant to SIBTF benefits. SIBTF argues the applicant's disability is solely due to the subsequent injury, thus disqualifying them from SIBTF benefits. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration to review the admissibility of two vocational reports and deposition transcripts, Exhibits M and N, which were previously marked for identification only. The Board intends to receive these documents into evidence unless timely objections are filed.

SIBTFPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardPermanent DisabilityIndustrial InjuryVocational Rehabilitation EvaluationDiminished Future Earning CapacityDeposition TranscriptExhibits M and NWCJ Report
References
0
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