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 The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr.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. ADJ8148545, ADJ8147711
Regular
Feb 05, 2014

LAZARO GUERRERO vs. UNITED PLUMBING SERVICE INC., BERKLEY SPECIALTY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration of an order dismissing a lien claimant's lien for failure to pay the lien activation fee. This dismissal was rescinded because a federal court injunction prohibited the enforcement of the lien activation fee provisions of Labor Code section 4903.06. The case is returned to the WCJ for further proceedings, including consideration of the defendant's request for attorney's fees.

Petition for ReconsiderationLien Activation FeeLabor Code section 4903.06Preliminary InjunctionAngelotti Chiropractic v. BakerWCJ Order RescindedLien ClaimantWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardFurther ProceedingsAttorney's Fees
References
Case No. ADJ4124563
Regular
May 29, 2009

MARIO HERNANDEZ vs. WESLAR, INC., STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case involves a lien claimant attorney challenging an arbitrator's award of withheld attorney fees. The lien claimant argued they were not properly notified of proceedings concerning the fee distribution. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the arbitrator's prior award, and returned the matter for a full determination on the merits of how the withheld attorney fees should be disbursed. This ensures both attorneys involved will have their claims fairly considered.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardLien ClaimantAttorney FeesReconsiderationArbitratorWithheld FeesPetition for ReconsiderationNotice of IntentionAward of Attorney FeesDisbursement
References
Case No. ADJ2340102 (LAO 0751270) ADJ4406096 (LAO 0784412)
Regular
Apr 27, 2017

JOSE MORFIN vs. WHITE MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER, ADVENTIST HEALTH

This case involves an award of additional attorney's fees for applicant's counsel in the California Court of Appeal. The court remanded the matter for supplemental fees after the defendant's unsuccessful Petition for Writ of Review. While applicant's attorney sought $11,480.00 in fees, the Board found this excessive and awarded $8,000.00 based on a review of the appellate work and the contentious history of the litigation. The Board also awarded the requested costs of $67.58, totaling $8,067.58 in additional appellate attorney's fees and costs.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardSupplemental Attorney's FeesPetition for Writ of ReviewLabor Code § 5801Labor Code § 5811Appellate Attorney's FeesItemization of Attorney's FeesExcessive Fee RequestReasonable Fee DeterminationCase-by-Case Basis
References
Case No. ADJ2531693 (MON 0284829)
Regular
Feb 22, 2012

VIRGINIA SIEGEL vs. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES - EXTENSION DEPARTMENT BUSINESS, OCTAGON RISK SERVICES

This case involves the award of additional attorney's fees to applicant's counsel following a successful defense of a Petition for Writ of Review at the appellate level. The Court of Appeal had previously remanded the matter to the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) for the purpose of making this supplemental award. Applicant's attorney requested $2,400.00 for six hours of work at $400.00 per hour, plus $179.07 in costs. The WCAB found this amount reasonable given the attorney's extensive experience and the successful outcome. An award of $2,579.07 in appellate attorney's fees and costs was made against the defendant.

Labor Code § 5801Petition for Writ of ReviewCourt of AppealSupplemental Attorney's FeeAppellate Attorney's FeeRemandWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardReasonable Attorney FeesLegal ServicesPetition for Award of Attorney's Fee
References
Case No. ADJ9056788; ADJ7888781
Regular
Dec 09, 2013

Cesar Lopez vs. Good Earth Natural Foods, Inc.

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) dismissed Cesar Lopez's Petition for Reconsideration because it was not taken from a "final" order determining substantive rights or liabilities. The WCAB also denied removal, finding no showing of substantial prejudice or irreparable harm. The underlying issue involved the rescission of an order approving a compromise and release to address a dispute over an attorney's fee lien. The WCAB affirmed its jurisdiction to resolve such attorney fee liens.

Petition for ReconsiderationRemovalFinal OrderInterlocutory OrderSubstantive RightLiabilityCompromise and ReleaseAttorney's Fee LienWithhold Attorney's FeeReturn Attorney's Fee
References
Case No. ADJ10307427
Regular
Mar 21, 2017

CHRISTOPHER DEVEREUX vs. STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND, Permissibly Self-Insured; administered by THE HARTFORD

This case concerns an award of additional attorney's fees for applicant's counsel, pursuant to Labor Code § 5801. The Third District Court of Appeal remanded the matter for this purpose after denying the defendant's Petition for Writ of Review. The parties stipulated to reasonable attorney's fees of $2,500.00. The Board has issued an award of these appellate attorney's fees in favor of the applicant's counsel, payable in addition to any compensation awarded to the applicant.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardLabor Code § 5801attorney's feesPetition for Writ of Reviewappellate attorney's feesstipulationawardState Compensation Insurance FundThe Hartfordremanded
References
Case No. ADJ7476466
Regular
Jul 17, 2013

JESUS AGUILAR vs. ROSABLA A. SAWERS, CALIFORNIA RESTAURANT MUTUAL BENEFIT CORP., AMERICAN CLAIMS MANAGEMENT, INC.

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied Greenway Clinic's Petition for Reconsideration, upholding the dismissal of its lien. Greenway argued that electronic system malfunctions prevented timely payment of a lien activation fee required under Labor Code section 4903.06. However, the Board found this section inapplicable to liens filed after January 1, 2013, which are subject to a filing fee under section 4903.05. Because Greenway's lien was filed in 2013 without the required filing fee, it was deemed invalid and dismissed.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardLien claimantPetition for reconsiderationLien activation feeElectronic Adjudication Management SystemLabor Code section 4903.06Declaration of Readiness to ProceedCompromise and ReleaseLien filing feeInvalid lien
References
Case No. ADJ10916721, ADJ10915440, ADJ11026183
Regular
Apr 04, 2025

ALBERT HUNNICUTT vs. UNIFIED GROCERS, SECURITY NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) denied Albert Hunnicutt's petition for reconsideration regarding the attorney's fee awarded to his former attorney, Robert Palty. Hunnicutt contested the December 30, 2024, Joint Findings and Order Re: Attorney Fees, which granted Palty $7,500.00 from Hunnicutt's permanent disability award. Hunnicutt alleged Palty's negligence in preparing stipulations, failing to provide NRLB reports, and mishandling a child support lien. The WCAB, adopting the WCJ's report, found Palty's withdrawal justified and affirmed the fee by considering the four statutory criteria: responsibility, care, time involved, and results obtained, concluding the fee was a reasonable balance despite Hunnicutt's concerns and his significant self-representation.

ADJ10916721ADJ10915440ADJ11026183Petition for ReconsiderationLabor Code Section 5909Appeals BoardWCJ ReportElectronic Adjudication Management SystemEAMSattorney fees
References
Showing 1-10 of 5,473 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