CompFox Logo
AboutWorkflowFeaturesPricingCase LawInsights

Updated Daily

Case Law Database

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 The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr.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. 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. ADJ9586764, ADJ10425110
Regular
Sep 19, 2016

JOE TORRES vs. CITY OF LOMPOC

The Appeals Board granted the applicant's petition for removal, overturning a previous order that consolidated two workers' compensation cases in San Luis Obispo. The Board found that venue should be proper in Santa Barbara, where the applicant resides, the employer is located, and the injuries occurred. As the Santa Barbara office was available and the applicant initially sought that venue, the Board ordered the cases transferred and consolidated there. This decision prioritizes the statutory venue requirements over the administrative law judge's recommendation for judicial economy.

Petition for RemovalChange of VenueConsolidationWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardLabor Code Section 5501.5Labor Code Section 5501.6Applicant's ResidenceInjury LocationSanta Barbara District OfficeSan Luis Obispo District Office
References
Case No. ADJ7485185, ADJ9885267
Regular
Sep 18, 2017

LAURA ORTIZ vs. FARMERS INSURANCE GROUP, MID CENTURY INSURANCE

This Workers' Compensation Appeals Board decision denies a petition for reconsideration, affirming the applicant's timely invocation of jurisdiction to seek additional benefits. The Board adopted the WCJ's reasoning that the applicant's filings of an Application for Adjudication of Claim and an Amended Application, along with documented medical evidence of worsening condition, satisfied the requirements for reopening and seeking further compensation. These actions put the defendants on notice of the applicant's intent to pursue increased benefits, even without a formal petition to reopen.

Petition for ReconsiderationLabor Code section 5410Application for Adjudication of ClaimRiel v. State of CaliforniaBeaida v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.stipulated awardpro perfuture medical treatmentincreased symptomsworsening condition
References
Case No. ADJ7641403
Regular
Apr 26, 2011

MARU ARAGAW vs. SAN JOAQUIN GENERAL HOSPITAL, TRISTAR RISK MANAGEMENT

Applicant Maru Aragaw sought to remove an order changing venue from San Francisco to Stockton for her workers' compensation claim. The Appeals Board denied the removal petition. The defendant's objection to the initial San Francisco venue was timely, as it was filed within 30 days of receiving notice of the case number and venue. Therefore, the WCJ correctly ordered the venue changed to Stockton, where the applicant resides.

Petition for RemovalChange of VenueLabor Code section 5501.6WCJSan Francisco district officeStockton district officeApplication for Adjudication of Claimvenue siteobjection to venueRule 10410
References
Case No. ADJ 8101286
Regular
Apr 09, 2012

BLANCA LARA vs. FOSTER FARMS

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) denied Foster Farms' petition for removal, upholding the initial decision to deny a change of venue. The defendant argued for transfer to the Long Beach office based on Labor Code Section 5501.5, claiming the applicant's attorney's principal place of business was an improper venue choice. However, the WCAB found venue appropriate in Los Angeles County, as the applicant resided there, and the injury allegedly occurred there. No other grounds for good cause to transfer venue were established.

Petition for RemovalVenueLabor Code Section 5501.5Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardAdministrative Law JudgeCumulative TraumaPrincipal Place of BusinessObjectionsChange of VenueApplicant Residence
References
Case No. ADJ10061166
Regular
Oct 02, 2015

Lorenzo Lujan vs. RAMCO, INTERCARE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted the applicant's Petition for Removal, overturning a prior order that denied his request to change venue. The applicant resides in Santa Barbara County, where his injury occurred and his attorney's office is located, and he properly designated Santa Barbara for venue. Despite the Workers' Compensation Division's website listing Santa Barbara as a "Satellite office," the Board found it provides the same essential services as other district offices. Therefore, venue was transferred to the Santa Barbara District Office, as required by Labor Code section 5501.5(a).

Petition for RemovalOrder Denying Change of VenueLabor Code section 5501.5applicant's residencelocation of injuryattorney's principal place of businessSanta Barbara District OfficeSan Luis Obispo District OfficeSatellite officemandatory venue
References
Case No. ADJ10073542, ADJ10073543
Regular
Oct 23, 2015

Mike L. Luallen vs. SYSCO VENTURA, INC., GALLAGHER BASSETT SERVICES, INC.

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted the applicant's petition for removal, overturning a prior order that denied a change of venue. The applicant, residing and injured in Santa Barbara County, sought to transfer his cases from the San Luis Obispo office to Santa Barbara, arguing substantial prejudice due to geographical inconvenience. The WCAB found that Santa Barbara office functions as a regular district office despite its "satellite" designation, making venue proper there per Labor Code § 5501.5(a). Consequently, the WCAB ordered venue transferred to the Santa Barbara office for both cases.

Petition for RemovalJoint Order Denying Change of VenueWCJApplicant's ResidenceEmployer's WorkplaceInjury LocationAttorney's Principal Place of BusinessLabor Code Section 5501.5VenueAppeals Board
References
Case No. ADJ8750277
Regular
Jun 26, 2013

RUTH SHAW vs. PALO ALTO MEDICAL FOUNDATION, SUTTER HEALTH

This case concerns a dispute over venue for a workers' compensation claim. The defendant objected to the initial venue in Anaheim, arguing it was improper as the applicant resided in Santa Cruz County and the injury occurred there. The Appeals Board found that both Felton (applicant's residence) and Santa Cruz (injury location) are within Santa Cruz County, which lacks a local Appeals Board office. Therefore, venue was properly changed to the Salinas district office, which is the nearest to the applicant's residence.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for RemovalChange of VenueLabor Code section 5501.5(c)Venue VerificationApplicant's ResidenceLocation of InjuryNearest Appeals Board OfficeSalinasSanta Cruz County
References
Case No. ADJ8171056
Regular

JUAN ARANA vs. JOHN FREE, dba BELLA CASA

This case concerns a dispute over the proper venue for a workers' compensation claim. The applicant initially chose Oakland as the venue, as it was his attorney's principal place of business. After the employer objected, the judge changed venue to Santa Rosa. The applicant appealed, arguing Oakland is closer to his residence. The Appeals Board granted the petition for removal, rescinded the venue change, and returned the case to the trial level to determine the correct venue based on proximity to the applicant's residence or injury location.

Petition for RemovalOrder Changing VenueLabor Code section 5501.5venue objectionapplicant's residenceinjury locationnearest appeals board officeWCJDecision After Removalrescind
References
Showing 1-10 of 10,682 results

Ready to streamline your practice?

Apply these legal strategies instantly. CompFox helps you find decisions, analyze reports, and draft pleadings in minutes.

CompFox Logo

The AI standard for workers' compensation professionals. Faster research, deeper analysis, better outcomes.

Product

  • Platform
  • Workflow
  • Features
  • Pricing

Solutions

  • Defense Firms
  • Applicants' Attorneys
  • Insurance carriers
  • Medical Providers

Company

  • About
  • Insights
  • Case Law

Legal

  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Trust
  • Cookies
  • Subscription

© 2026 CompFox Inc. All rights reserved.

Systems Operational