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Case Law Database

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

Case No. 14-05-00831-CR
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 07, 2006

Joseph Earl Bias v. State

Joseph Earl Bias appealed his conviction for aggravated assault, asserting errors in the trial court's granting of the State's challenges for cause to two venirepersons and factual insufficiency of the evidence. The case originated from an incident where Bias allegedly pulled a gun and fired shots in a shoe store. The jury found Bias guilty, assessing a twenty-year confinement. The appellate court found the evidence factually sufficient, citing positive identification of Bias by the complainant and corroborating testimony. The court also determined that any error in excusing venirepersons did not deprive Bias of a lawfully constituted jury, thus affirming the trial court's judgment.

Aggravated AssaultFactual SufficiencyEvidentiary ReviewVoir DireJury SelectionChallenges for CauseCredibility of WitnessesCriminal AppealTexas LawCourt of Appeals
References
10
Case No. SDO 0335244
Regular

FREDDY GOMEZ vs. EL TORITO RESTAURANT, GALLAGHER BASSETT SERVICES

This case involved a petition to disqualify a Workers' Compensation Judge (WCJ) based on a prior declaration of bias and an alleged appearance of bias. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) denied the petition. The WCAB found that while a previous case established a past appearance of bias, the current petition lacked specific evidence of present bias or appearance thereof. Furthermore, the WCAB concluded that sufficient time had passed since the prior proceedings, and the appearance of bias, if any, had sufficiently attenuated.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for DisqualificationAdministrative Law JudgeLabor Code section 5311WCAB Rule 10452Appearance of BiasActual BiasBlanket RecusalMandatory Settlement ConferenceIndustrial Injury
References
1
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Nationwide Distribution Services, Inc. v. Robert Jones and Poly Trucking, Inc.

National Distribution Services, Inc. (NDS) appealed the denial of its special appearance, arguing that the trial court lacked personal jurisdiction and that NDS had not waived its right to contest jurisdiction. The appellate court found that NDS waived its special appearance by violating the due-order-of-hearing requirement of Rule 120a. NDS had filed motions to compel discovery and a motion for continuance, both relating to the merits of the case, and obtained rulings on them before its special appearance was heard. These actions were deemed inconsistent with NDS's challenge to the court's jurisdiction. Consequently, the appellate court affirmed the trial court's order denying NDS's special appearance.

Special AppearancePersonal JurisdictionWaiverDue Order of HearingRule 120aDiscovery MotionsMotion to CompelMotion for ContinuanceInterlocutory AppealTexas Civil Procedure
References
20
Case No. ADJ12674446
Regular
Jul 25, 2025

MICHAEL KREZA, SHANNA KREZA vs. CITY OF COSTA MESA FIRE DEPARTMENT, ADMINSURE

Applicant Shanna Kreza, guardian ad Litem for deceased Michael Kreza, sought reconsideration or, alternatively, removal and disqualification of a Workers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge (WCJ) after the WCJ issued an Order Suspending Action. The WCJ's order questioned the requested attorney's fees as excessive, which the applicant argued created an appearance of bias. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board dismissed the petition for reconsideration, deeming the WCJ's order interlocutory. However, the Board granted the petitions for removal and disqualification, finding an appearance of bias by the WCJ due to unqualified opinions on attorney's fees. Consequently, the WCJ was disqualified, their May 12, 2025 Order was rescinded, and the case was returned for reassignment to a new WCJ.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardFirefighterDeath ClaimAttorney FeesExcessive FeesPetition for ReconsiderationPetition for RemovalPetition for DisqualificationWCJ BiasOrder Suspending Action
References
10
Case No. SDO 339211 SDO 339212
Regular
Jul 23, 2007

RICHARD ESPINOZA vs. SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC

This case involved a petition to disqualify a Workers' Compensation Judge based on a prior admission of bias against the applicant's law firm. The Appeals Board denied the petition, finding that the applicant failed to present evidence of present bias or the appearance of bias. The Board reasoned that the prior admission of bias had been sufficiently attenuated by time and subsequent rulings, and that future disqualifications would require specific evidence.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardDisqualificationWCJBiasAppearance of BiasRecusalBlanket RecusalEthics ComplaintsCourt AdministratorMandatory Settlement Conference
References
1
Case No. SAC 0290200 SAC 0352087 MON 0309956 MON 0326164
Regular
Dec 17, 2007

PATTY OLFATI (PARVIN OLFATI) vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, BOARD OF EQUALIZATION and STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The applicant sought to disqualify the workers' compensation judge due to alleged bias and intimidation by the judge and defendants. The appeals board denied the petition, finding no evidence of bias or the appearance of bias. The applicant failed to provide a proper affidavit and did not attend the conference where the alleged intimidation occurred.

Disqualification petitionWCJ biaspsychiatric injuryindustrial injuryex parte communicationaffidavit requirementLabor Code section 5311WCAB Rule 10452protective ordersubpoena duces tecum
References
4
Case No. ADJ8429633
Regular
Feb 18, 2015

MARINA SANCHEZ vs. PRUDENTIAL OVERALL SUPPLY, TRISTAR RISK MANAGEMENT SERVICES

The Appeals Board granted defendant's Petition for Removal, rescinding the WCJ's order for the claims adjuster to appear and explain his unavailability. The Board found the WCJ exceeded his authority by prejudging the case and ordering the appearance punitively. The matter is returned to the trial level, and the Petition for Disqualification was dismissed as moot. The case is to be heard by a different WCJ to avoid the appearance of bias.

Petition for RemovalPetition for DisqualificationWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardWCJSanctionsThird Party AdministratorCompromise and ReleaseLien ConferenceInjury AOE/COESubstantial Evidence
References
1
Case No. ADJ7818378 ADJ8556286
Regular
Nov 06, 2017

ZENAIDA SALAZAR vs. J. G. BOSWELL COMPANY, SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

This case involved Attorney Kyle Nielsen's petition to disqualify Workers' Compensation Judge Geoffrey H. Sims, alleging bias. Nielsen cited the judge's fee award ruling, decision to set a trial, misspelling of his name, and order for personal appearance as evidence of bias. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the petition, finding no grounds for disqualification. The Board noted the petition lacked a required affidavit and that the cited actions did not demonstrate actual bias or prejudice.

WCABPetition for DisqualificationAttorney's FeesWCJBiasLabor Code Section 5311WCAB Rule 10452Compromise and ReleaseFee SplitReconsideration
References
0
Case No. ADJ3271362 (LAO 0873186) ADJ665746 (MON 0351716) ADJ6595399
Regular
Jun 07, 2017

MARIA MONTALVO vs. FAA FIRST FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, OAK RIVER INSURANCE, BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESTATE COMPANY, EVEREST NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPNAY, AMERICAN CLAIMS

A lien claimant petitioned to disqualify the Workers' Compensation Judge (WCJ) because her husband previously represented a defendant in these matters for three years. The Appeals Board granted the petition, finding that the WCJ's husband's prior involvement creates an appearance of impropriety, regardless of his actual level of participation. This appearance of bias, coupled with the possibility that the husband could be a material witness, necessitates reassignment to another WCJ to ensure impartiality. The Board cited due process requirements and judicial ethics regarding the appearance of fairness in administrative proceedings.

Petition for DisqualificationWCJ impartialityappearance of improprietyspouse attorneymaterial witnessCanon 3Code of Judicial Ethicsdue processneutral decision makerprior representation
References
0
Case No. ADJ15136580
Regular
May 09, 2025

Neal Newton vs. Rudgear Logistics, LLC.; Falls Lake Fire & Casualty

Applicant Neal Newton filed a petition to disqualify the trial Workers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge (WCJ), alleging bias and the expression of unqualified opinions during hearings. The applicant contended the WCJ belittled his personal physician, questioned his intelligence, and demonstrated bias against his video evidence. Despite the WCJ denying actual bias, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board found an 'appearance of bias' sufficient to warrant disqualification, particularly noting the WCJ's characterization of applicant's documents without full review. Consequently, the Board granted the petition, disqualified the assigned WCJ, and ordered the case reassigned to a new WCJ.

Petition for DisqualificationWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardWCJAppearance of BiasMandatory Settlement ConferenceDeclaration of Readiness to ProceedQualified Medical EvaluatorEvidence DisputeMed-Legal EvaluationCode of Civil Procedure
References
5
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