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

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 The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr.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. ADJ700106 (SAL 0075388) ADJ4293270 (SAL 0067937) ADJ3847224 (SAL 0067938) ADJ1646200 (SAL 0011386)
Regular
Sep 01, 2015

WILLIE PEARSON vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, Chamberlain's Children Center, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, SUPERIOR NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY

In this workers' compensation case, CIGA sought to be relieved of liability for applicant's medical treatment, arguing that the State of California Department of Corrections ("the State") constituted "other insurance." The Appeals Board affirmed the WCJ's decision that the State does not qualify as "other insurance" under Insurance Code section 1063.1(c)(9)(A). Unlike private self-insured employers, the State is not required to obtain workers' compensation insurance or a certificate of self-insurance, and thus does not fall within the statutory definition of an "insurer." The Board further clarified that the State Compensation Insurance Fund's role in claim adjustment services for the State does not make it "other insurance" when the State is not otherwise insured with SCIF.

CIGASupernational Insurance Companylegally uninsuredother insurancecovered claimsInsurance Code Section 1063.1State of California Department of Correctionsreimbursementstipulated awardjoint and several liability
References
Case No. ADJ4415679 (OAK 0259031) ADJ2701101 (WCK0050594)
Regular
May 10, 2010

Stanley Sanders vs. REMEDY INTELLIGENT STAFFING, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION for RELIANCE NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY, OREGON STEEL MILLS, INC. dba NAPA PIPE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board reversed a judge's decision, ruling that Napa Pipe, a self-insured special employer, is liable for applicant Stanley Sanders' workers' compensation benefits. Despite an agreement between the general employer (Remedy Temp) and Napa Pipe attempting to limit liability to Remedy Temp's insurer (Reliance), Napa Pipe's joint and several liability as a special employer cannot be contractually eliminated. Because Napa Pipe's self-insurance was not excluded for special employees and constitutes "other insurance" under Insurance Code § 1063.1(c)(9), CIGA is relieved of its obligation to provide benefits following Reliance's insolvency. Therefore, Napa Pipe must now provide all workers' compensation benefits and administer the claim.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardStanley SandersRemedy Intelligent StaffingCalifornia Insurance Guarantee AssociationReliance National Insurance CompanyOregon Steel MillsNapa PipeADJ4415679ADJ2701101Opinion and Decision After Reconsideration
References
Case No. ADJ1888124 (SAL 0111884) ADJ3322590 (SAL 0079903)
Regular
Oct 20, 2016

MARIA NUNEZ vs. MANN PACKING COMPANY, INC., CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION For FREMONT COMPENSATION INSURANCE COMPANY, In Liquidation; STATE OF CALIFORNIA

This case concerns the California Insurance Guarantee Association's (CIGA) liability for an applicant's workers' compensation claims after Fremont Compensation Insurance Company became insolvent. CIGA argued it should be relieved of liability because the State of California, as the applicant's employer through IHSS, constituted "other insurance" under Insurance Code Section 1063.1. The Appeals Board affirmed the WCJ's decision, holding that the State of California does not qualify as "other insurance" under the relevant statutes. This distinction is based on the State not being required to obtain workers' compensation insurance or a certificate of self-insurance like private or other public employers.

CIGAFremont Compensation Insurance Companyliquidationlegally uninsuredother insuranceInsurance Code Section 1063.1covered claimsIn-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)statutory limitationsself-insurance
References
Case No. GRO 0023124
Regular
Dec 31, 2007

CAROLINA CAMACHO vs. TEAMWORK, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, INTERCARE INSURANCE SERVICES, DEN-MAT, ZENITH INSURANCE COMPANY

Zenith Insurance sought reconsideration of a WCAB decision that found CIGA not liable because other insurance was available, ordering Zenith to reimburse CIGA for benefits paid. Zenith argued the WCAB lacked jurisdiction, claiming the contribution issue was subject to mandatory arbitration under Labor Code § 5275. The WCAB denied reconsideration, ruling that § 5275 did not apply as this was a general/special employment situation, not a cumulative trauma case, and Zenith's insurance constituted "other insurance" relieving CIGA of liability.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCalifornia Insurance Guarantee AssociationCIGAZenith Insurance CompanyContributionMandatory ArbitrationLabor Code Section 5275Labor Code Section 5500.5General EmploymentSpecial Employment
References
Case No. ADJ4684775 (VEN 0117727) ADJ4381820 (VEN 0117723)
Regular
Dec 19, 2011

JOANNE LUTZ, JOANN LUTZ vs. RUSSELL WARNER dba ROTO ROOTER SERVICES, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION for PAULA INSURANCE COMPANY, in liquidation, and for FREMONT INSURANCE COMPANY, in liquidation, LINDA McDONALD, STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board reversed a prior ruling, allowing CIGA to pursue reimbursement from State Farm for benefits paid due to applicant's industrial injuries. The Board found that unlike a request to alter a prior award, CIGA's petition sought to enforce its statutory right to reimbursement from "available" insurance under Insurance Code section 1063.1(c)(9). Since State Farm, as a jointly and severally liable insurer, appears to be such "available" insurance, the case is remanded for further proceedings on CIGA's reimbursement claim.

California Insurance Guarantee AssociationCIGAPaula Insurance CompanyFremont Insurance CompanyState Farm Insurance Companystipulated awardreconsiderationreimbursementcontributionother insurance
References
Case No. ADJ3816448 (LAO 0789900) ADJ335314 (LAO 0818843) ADJ1177078 (LAO 0789901)
Regular
Sep 25, 2015

RAYMUNDO PITONES vs. MEL CAST LITHO, INC., CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

This case involves CIGA, the California Insurance Guarantee Association, seeking to be absolved of liability for workers' compensation benefits for an injured worker, Raymundo Pitones. CIGA argues that a settlement with another insurer for a subsequent, overlapping injury constitutes "other insurance" that should relieve CIGA of its obligations. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied CIGA's petition, finding that the subsequent settlement did not fully cover all of Pitones' injuries, particularly those that did not overlap. Therefore, CIGA remains liable for the benefits not covered by the prior settlement to ensure the applicant can recover his full benefits.

CIGACalifornia Insurance Guarantee AssociationMel Cast LithoInc.California Compensation Insurance CompanyliquidationSEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICESPetition for ReconsiderationJoint Findings of Fact and Orderworkers' compensation administrative law judge
References
Case No. ANA 0324555
Regular
Aug 19, 2007

CONNIE CERVANTES vs. TEMPEST SERVICES INC., CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, ITT CANON

This case concerns whether a self-insured special employer's coverage constitutes "other insurance" that would relieve the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA) of liability for an injured worker's benefits. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration, affirming the administrative law judge's finding that ITT, a permissibly self-insured special employer, was liable for benefits. The Board relied on precedent establishing that self-insurance by an employer is considered "other insurance" under relevant statutes, thus excluding CIGA's coverage.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardGeneral employerSpecial employerPermissibly self-insuredCalifornia Insurance Guarantee AssociationCIGALiquidationCovered claimsOther insuranceInsurance Code section 1063.1(c)(9)
References
Case No. ADJ3431129 (LAO 0786011)
Regular
Jul 15, 2016

ISRAEL GALINDO vs. COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, PDQ PERSONNEL SERVICES, INC., CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION

This case concerns a workers' compensation claim where the applicant was a special employee of the County of Los Angeles and a general employee of PDQ Personnel Services, whose insurer, Superior National, became insolvent. CIGA contended its liability was excluded because the County's self-insurance constituted "other insurance" under Insurance Code section 1063.1(c)(9)(A). The WCAB granted reconsideration to clarify that, based on prior Court of Appeal rulings and collateral estoppel, the County's self-insurance is indeed "other insurance," thus absolving CIGA of liability. The WCAB amended the findings to explicitly state this determination.

CIGAPDQ Personnel ServicesSuperior National Insurance Companyliquidationother insuranceInsurance Code section 1063.1(c)(9)(A)collateral estoppelgeneral employerspecial employerself-insured
References
Case No. ADJ3910048 (VNO 0417016)
Regular
Jul 30, 2010

NAHID JAVADI vs. SIMI VALLEY HOSPITAL, ADVENTIST HEALTH SYSTEMS WEST

This case involves an employer, Simi Valley Hospital/Adventist Health Systems West, seeking to prevent the joinder of AIG as a defendant in a workers' compensation claim. The employer argues it is permissibly self-insured and self-administered, and joining AIG, an excess carrier, would cause irreparable harm. The Appeals Board found that since there is no third-party administrator involved, the precedent relied upon for joinder is inapplicable. Consequently, the Board rescinded all orders joining AIG and returned the case to the trial level.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for RemovalJoinder of DefendantReinsurance CarrierExcess CarrierPermissibly Self-InsuredSelf-AdministeredIndustrial InjuryFindings and AwardPetition to Reopen
References
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