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

Case No. ADJ480092 (SFO 0498380) ADJ2934310 (SFO 0498381)
Regular
Apr 26, 2009

TONI MORGAN vs. REDWOOD CREDIT UNION, ZENITH INSURANCE COMPANY, UNITED STATES FIRE INSURANCE CO.

This case concerns an applicant's petition for reconsideration of a workers' compensation judge's finding that the 2005 Permanent Disability Rating Schedule (PDRS) should apply to two cumulative trauma injuries. The applicant argued for the 1997 PDRS, asserting a defendant's termination of temporary disability payments triggered a Labor Code notice requirement. Alternatively, the applicant contended the $15\%$ permanent disability rating was too low, citing *Almaraz/Guzman* regarding disparities between AMA Guides impairment ratings and actual employability. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, agreeing the medical record needed further development under *Almaraz/Guzman*, and deferred the permanent disability issue for trial level review. A dissenting opinion argued the applicant waived the AMA Guides impairment issue by not raising it earlier.

WCABRedwood Credit UnionZenith Insurance CompanyUnited States Fire Insurance Co.cumulative traumapermanent disability rating schedule2005 PDRS1997 PDRSLabor Code section 4061Labor Code section 4660
References
11
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Guzman v. Bevona

Carlos Guzman, a member and former shop steward of Local 32B-32J, sued the Union's Joint Executive Board for violating his rights under the LMRDA and LMRA, and for intentional infliction of emotional distress under state law. Guzman alleged he was retaliated against for protesting union dues and salaries, specifically by being excluded from a meeting, subjected to surveillance by union-hired private investigators, and having his work hours reduced. The defendants moved to dismiss the claims. The court denied the motion to dismiss, finding that Guzman's claims had sufficient grounds to proceed, including potential damages for breach of union constitution and for extreme and outrageous conduct causing emotional distress.

Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure ActLabor Management Relations ActFreedom of Speech and AssemblyUnion Dues ProtestShop Steward ExclusionSurveillanceIntentional Infliction of Emotional DistressMotion to DismissUnion Constitution BreachRetaliation
References
19
Case No. ADJ1078163 (BAK 0145426), ADJ3341185 (SJO 0254688)
Significant
Apr 06, 2009

Mario Almaraz vs. Environmental Recovery Services (a.k.a. ENVIROSERVE), State Compensation Insurance Fund Joyce Guzman vs. Milpitas Unified School District, Permissibly Self-Insured, Keenan & Associates, Adjusting Agent

The Appeals Board grants reconsideration in two consolidated cases, Almaraz and Guzman, to study the issues raised in a petition and allows for the filing of amicus curiae briefs by any interested person or entity.

WCABReconsiderationAmicus BriefsEn Banc DecisionAMA GuidesPermanent DisabilityThreshold IssueRebuttalFinal OrderInterlocutory Decision
References
18
Case No. ADJ3311649 (LAO 0871212)
Regular
Apr 20, 2009

MILTON JEOVANY LOPEZ vs. LAZAR TRUCK LINES, NOVAPRO RISK SOLUTIONS FOR CTSA

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration of a decision that awarded the applicant 2% permanent disability for a knee injury. The applicant argued the rating was inaccurate based on the AMA Guides and sought recalculation under *Almaraz/Guzman*. The Board found the permanent disability issue was properly raised and that the medical record needed further development. Therefore, the matter was returned to the trial level to re-evaluate permanent disability consistent with the *Almaraz/Guzman* ruling.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardMilton Jeovany LopezLazar Truck LinesNovapro Risk SolutionsADJ3311649LAO 0871212ReconsiderationFindings and AwardPermanent DisabilityAMA Guides
References
3
Case No. ADJ2786471 (AHM 0131083) ADJ1723308 (AHM 0131186) ADJ1776217 (AHM 0131184)
Regular
Jul 12, 2011

RENE GARCIA vs. CITY OF ANAHEIM

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and rescinded the prior decision regarding applicant Rene Garcia's industrial injury to his low back and knees. The Board found that the treating physician's impairment rating was not substantial evidence because it impermissibly considered the applicant's ability to compete in the open labor market, in addition to Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), deviating from *Almaraz/Guzman* guidelines. The matter was returned to the trial level for further proceedings, including a supplemental report or deposition from the physician, to clarify the *Almaraz/Guzman* analysis solely on ADLs.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardCity of Anaheimfirefightercumulative traumapermanent disability awardapportionmentAMA GuidesAlmaraz v. Environmental Recovery ServicesMilpitas Unified School Dist. v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.Whole Person Impairment
References
7
Case No. ADJ7438046
Regular
Nov 28, 2016

Bridgitte Strawberry vs. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

The applicant sought reconsideration of a prior award, primarily contesting the exclusion of headaches and sleep apnea as industrial injuries and the rating methodology for lumbar spine and right knee injuries. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, affirming that headaches and sleep apnea were not industrially caused but found the applicant entitled to a 15% increase in permanent disability. Crucially, the Board determined the Agreed Medical Examiner's alternative *Almaraz/Guzman* ratings for the lumbar spine and right knee were valid, requiring a return to the trial level for new rating instructions and further proceedings on permanent disability and apportionment.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardLegally UninsuredFindings and AwardIndustrial InjuryPsycheLumbar SpineRight KneeHypertensionGERDPermanent Disability
References
4
Case No. ADJ9311285
Regular
Jan 12, 2018

Herbert Schmitz vs. Westlands Water District, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company/Wausau

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) reconsidered a decision awarding 74% permanent disability. The defendant argued the Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME), Dr. Deshmukh, improperly used the hernia chapter of the AMA Guides for impairment rating, violating *Almaraz-Guzman* principles. The WCAB agreed that Dr. Deshmukh's rating lacked sufficient explanation for deviating from standard orthopedic evaluations. Consequently, the WCAB rescinded the permanent disability and attorney's fees findings, returning the case for further proceedings, potentially including a supplemental report or deposition from Dr. Deshmukh, to properly address impairment rating.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardPermanent DisabilityQualified Medical EvaluatorWhole Person ImpairmentAMA GuidesAlmaraz-GuzmanIndustrial InjuryMedical TreatmentLabor CodeFindings and Award
References
6
Case No. ADJ8000726
Regular
Oct 03, 2016

KONG CHREA vs. WARNER BROTHERS STUDIOS

Defendant Warner Brothers Studios sought reconsideration of a Workers' Compensation Appeals Board decision awarding applicant Kong Chrea 77% permanent disability. The defendant argued the assigned permanent disability rating was not supported by substantial medical evidence under Almaraz/Guzman and that the applicant failed to prove his psychiatric injury was predominantly caused by his physical injury. The Board denied reconsideration, finding Dr. Sobol's report provided adequate justification for the rating and that Dr. O'Brien's opinion supported the psychiatric injury finding. A dissenting opinion argued Dr. Sobol's rating was impermissibly based on work function and speculative calculations.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPermanent Disability RatingAlmaraz/GuzmanSubstantial Medical EvidencePsyche InjuryPredominant CauseAMA GuidesFunctional CapacityAlternative RatingDisability Schedules
References
3
Case No. ADJ10187704, ADJ10924724
Regular
May 17, 2018

STEVEN CASE vs. GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration to increase applicant's permanent disability rating for bilateral shoulder injury from 9% to 38%. The Board found the Agreed Medical Evaluator's (AME) alternative rating, based on strength loss, was substantial medical evidence and properly considered within the AMA Guides. The WCJ erred in applying an overly restrictive interpretation of "complex or extraordinary" cases for deviating from strict AMA Guides ratings. The AME's use of strength loss data from the AMA Guides, even for an age outside the specified range, was permissible under the *Almaraz-Guzman* line of cases when justified by clinical judgment.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardJoint Findings and AwardPetition for ReconsiderationAgreed Medical Evaluator (AME)permanent disability ratingbilateral shouldersorthopedic AMEAMA GuidesAlmaraz-Guzmanstrength loss index
References
20
Case No. ADJ4258585 (OXN 0130492) ADJ220258 (OXN 0130487)
Regular
Apr 17, 2018

ENRIQUE HERRERA vs. MAPLE LEAF FOODS, U.S. FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY, ALEA NORTH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY

This notice informs parties that the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) intends to admit its rating instructions and a disability rater's recommended permanent disability rating into evidence. The WCAB previously granted reconsideration for further study. Parties have seven days to object to the rating instructions or the recommended rating, with specific procedures for addressing objections. If no timely objection is filed, the matters will be submitted for decision thirty days after service.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDPermanent Disability RatingDisability Evaluation UnitRating InstructionsRecommended Permanent Disability RatingJoint RatingReconsiderationObjectionRater Cross-ExaminationRebuttal Evidence
References
0
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