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

Case No. ADJ7673518, ADJ7647749
Regular
Jan 23, 2015

ANA DE AYALA vs. AO-THE UNIVERSITY CORPORATION / CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY NORTHRIDGE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and reversed a prior ruling, finding the applicant sustained industrial injury to her neck. While the applicant testified to injuring her neck in a workplace incident and this was partially corroborated, the Board found insufficient evidence for other claimed injuries. The Board specifically disagreed with the administrative law judge's credibility assessment concerning the neck injury itself, relying on medical reports and testimony supporting the neck injury claim. The Board affirmed the denial of claims for all other alleged injuries, finding insufficient medical evidence to link them to the incident.

Petition for ReconsiderationFindings and OrderIndustrial InjuryNeck InjuryBack InjurySpine InjuryUpper ExtremitiesPsycheGastroesophageal SystemInternal System
References
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 The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr.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. ADJ7232076
En Banc
Sep 26, 2011

Tsegay Messele vs. Pitco Foods, Inc.; California Insurance Company

The Appeals Board holds that the 10-day period for agreeing on an AME under Labor Code § 4062.2(b) is extended by five days when the initial proposal is served by mail, and clarifies the method for calculating this time period, finding both parties' panel requests premature.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardTsegay MesselePitco FoodsInc.California Insurance CompanyADJ7232076Opinion and Decision After ReconsiderationOrder Granting RemovalDecision After RemovalEn Banc
References
Case No. ADJ3133261 (VNO 0400017)
Regular
Aug 17, 2010

FELIPE TOLENTINO vs. CONCO CEMENT, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, XCHANGING INC., FREMONT COMPENSATION

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) dismissed the lien claimant's petition for reconsideration as premature. The WCAB granted the defendant's petition for reconsideration regarding the temporary disability overpayment issue, deferring it for further proceedings. The Board affirmed the WCJ's findings on injury causation and permanent disability but amended the decision to clarify the overpayment issue. Finally, the WCAB issued a notice of intention to sanction defendant's counsel for attaching and citing unadmitted evidence.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardFELIPE TOLENTINOCONCO CEMENTCALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATIONXCHANGING INC.FREMONT COMPENSATIONliquidationADJ3133261VNO 0400017OPINION AND ORDERS DISMISSING PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION AND GRANTING PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION
References
Case No. ADJ823138 (OXN 0142604)
Regular
Oct 25, 2010

CHERYL PEET vs. COUNTY OF VENTURA, Permissibly SelfInsured, Administered By CORVEL CORPORATION

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board is reconsidering a prior decision that found a deputy probation officer sustained industrial injuries resulting in 78% permanent disability. The defendant sought reconsideration, arguing the Qualified Medical Examiner's (QME) opinion, which formed the basis of the award, was ambiguous and unsubstantiated. The Board agrees that the QME's assessment of 60% whole person impairment is not adequately supported by the record, particularly in light of the applicant's own testimony regarding her daily activities. Therefore, the case is returned to the trial level for further evidence development and a new decision, with consideration for cost of living adjustments if a life pension is awarded.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardCheryl PeetCounty of VenturaCORVEL CORPORATIONADJ823138OXN 0142604Opinion and Decision After Reconsiderationdeputy probation officerindustrial injuryright upper extremity
References
Case No. ADJ9163494, ADJ9163491
Regular
Dec 28, 2015

RIGOBERTO NORIEGA vs. BEST WESTERN TOWN AND COUNTRY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and rescinded the original decision due to an inadequate medical report from the panel qualified medical evaluator (PQME). The PQME's opinion was based on incomplete medical records, including a failure to review records related to the applicant's cancer treatment, and did not adequately address the applicant's claimed injuries or permanent disability according to AMA Guides. The case is returned to the trial level for further development of the medical record, including the potential appointment of a regular physician and consideration of a videotape of the injury.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationPanel Qualified Medical EvaluatorSubstantial Medical EvidenceCumulative Trauma InjuryIndustrial InjuryPermanent DisabilityFuture Medical TreatmentMedical Record DevelopmentAgreed Medical Evaluator
References
Case No. ADJ4423159 (SAL 0118926)
Regular
Sep 20, 2016

ISIDRO CERVANTES vs. QUALITY FARMS LABOR, LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted removal to review an administrative law judge's order precluding applicant from submitting non-medical records to the Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME). The Board determined that certain medical study abstracts and specific AMA Guides pages were relevant and permissible for submission to the QME, particularly concerning the disputed application of the Combined Values Chart. However, other submitted non-medical documents, such as panel decisions and index pages for abstracts, were deemed not sufficiently relevant or their authenticity was unclear, thus their submission was not permitted. Ultimately, the Board amended the original order to allow the applicant to provide only the specifically identified relevant medical abstracts and AMA Guides pages to the QME.

Petition for RemovalDecision After RemovalQualified Medical EvaluatorNon-medical recordsMedical study abstractsAMA GuidesCombined Values ChartLabor Code section 4062.3PrejudiceIrreparable harm
References
Case No. ADJ2628303
Regular
Apr 01, 2014

GLORIA CAIRES vs. SHARP HEALTHCARE, ACE AMERICAN INSURANCE

The Appeals Board rescinded the original award and returned the case for further proceedings due to insufficient medical evidence on apportionment. Specifically, the Board found that the opinions of the orthopedic and psychiatric medical evaluators regarding the apportionment of permanent disability lacked substantial medical evidence. The orthopedic evaluator's apportionment methodology, referencing an AMA Guides example, was deemed improper under current Labor Code sections 4663 and 4664. The psychiatric evaluator's apportionment was also found insufficient as it did not adequately explain how psychiatric permanent disability should be apportioned separately from injury causation.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPermanent Disability ApportionmentQualified Medical Evaluator (PQME)Agreed Medical Evaluator (AME)American Medical Association Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent ImpairmentRange of Motion MethodDiagnosis-Related Estimate (DRE) MethodCompensable ConsequenceCausation of Permanent DisabilitySubstantial Medical Evidence
References
Case No. ADJ3885285 (FRE 0248529) ADJ3795787 (FRE 0247126)
Regular
Dec 30, 2008

Larry Shores vs. CITY OF MADERA; ACCLAMATION FRESNO

This case concerns a worker's compensation claim for a back and spine injury sustained by Larry Shores. The Board granted reconsideration, rescinded sanctions imposed on the defendant for litigation tactics, and rescinded a penalty for delayed temporary disability payments. However, it otherwise affirmed the finding of industrial injury, awarded penalties for unreasonable delay in medical treatment, and upheld the need for ongoing medical care, including surgery.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardLarry ShoresCity of MaderaAcclamation FresnoADJ3885285ADJ3795787Opinion and Order Granting ReconsiderationFindings and AwardWCJIndustrial Injury
References
Case No. ADJ6998138
Regular
Feb 13, 2012

WAI CHIU LI vs. COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the County of Los Angeles' Petition for Reconsideration. The Board upheld its prior decision to increase applicant Wai Chiu Li's permanent disability rating from 15% to 36% for a left forearm injury. This increase was based on the agreed medical examiner's use of clinical judgment to incorporate grip strength loss, consistent with the AMA Guides. The Board emphasized that physician judgment is crucial in accurately assessing impairment according to the Guides.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardDeputy SheriffIndustrial InjuryPermanent DisabilityReconsiderationAmerican Medical Association GuidesAMA GuidesAgreed Medical ExaminerAMEGrip Strength
References
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