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

Case No. ADJ377932 (SRO 140247)
Regular
Sep 07, 2010

BARBARA PENNY vs. COMMUNITY ACTON PARTNERSHIP OF SONOMA COUNTY, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

In this case, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration of a prior award concerning applicant Barbara Penny's industrial injury. The WCAB rescinded the award and returned the matter for further proceedings. This decision was primarily based on the need to properly develop the record regarding the applicant's diminished future earning capacity (DFEC), specifically concerning the methodology for calculating lost earnings. The WCAB also noted that the applicant's claim for further medical treatment for body parts beyond the low back could be raised again at the trial level.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardBarbara PennyCommunity Action Partnership of Sonoma CountyState Compensation Insurance FundADJ377932Opinion and Order Granting Petitions for ReconsiderationDecision After ReconsiderationFindings and AwardIndustrial InjuryCase Manager
References
Case No. ADJ1153404
Regular
Jan 03, 2014

BARBARA DIEFENBACH, (BARBARA CLARK) vs. SAN JOAQUIN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, Permissibly Self-Insured, Administered By ADVENTIST HEALTH SYSTEM

This case involves a petition for reconsideration filed by Barbara Diefenbach (Applicant) against San Joaquin Community Hospital. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) denied the petition on its merits, adopting the reasoning of the administrative law judge. Furthermore, the petition was subject to dismissal for failure to serve all adverse parties. The Board also admonished the petitioner for procedural violations, including attaching an unauthorized medical report and filing a supplemental petition improperly.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDPetition for ReconsiderationDENIEDLabor Code section 5905WCAB Rule 10842WCAB Rule 10848sanctionsLab. Code§ 5813administrative law judge
References
Case No. ADJ9198656; ADJ9192994
Regular
Jul 07, 2025

JEANETTE LIRA vs. COTTAGE HEALTH SYSTEM, PSI, SANSUM SANTA BARBARA MEDICAL, ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY

Defendants Cottage Health System and Zurich American Insurance Company sought reconsideration of a Joint Findings and Award. Cottage Health contended it was incorrectly identified as the liable employer instead of Sansum Santa Barbara Medical, insured by Zurich. Zurich argued there were multiple injuries or that compensation was barred by the statute of limitations. The Appeals Board denied Zurich's petition, granted Cottage Health's petition, and amended the award to reflect Sansum Santa Barbara Medical, insured by Zurich American Insurance Company, as the liable party.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardJeanette LiraCottage Health SystemGallagher BassettZurich American Insurance CompanySansum Santa Barbara MedicalAdjudication NumbersJoint Findings and AwardPetition for ReconsiderationComplex Regional Pain Syndrome
References
Case No. ADJ4436706 (SAC 0168766)
Regular
Jun 04, 2015

BARBARA NEWHOUSE vs. E GONZALEZ MD, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

Here's a summary for a lawyer: The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) issued an order dismissing a Petition for Reconsideration filed by petitioner Barbara Newhouse. This dismissal is a direct result of the petitioner's voluntary withdrawal of the petition. The original decision that was subject to reconsideration was issued on February 26, 2015. The Board acted upon the withdrawal to formally close this matter.

Petition for ReconsiderationDismissedWithdrawnBarbara NewhouseEgonzalez MDState Compensation Insurance FundWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardADJ4436706SAC 0168766
References
Case No. ADJ9342987, ADJ9342988
Regular
Apr 21, 2014

DEBBIE MORRISON vs. COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA/PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, CORVEL

This case involves an applicant's petition for removal, seeking a change of venue to a Santa Barbara office. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) denied the petition, affirming the WCJ's report. The WCAB explained that the Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) dictates office locations based on budgetary constraints and can calendar hearings at different offices due to limited resources. The applicant may petition for a change of venue to Oxnard.

Petition for RemovalWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardDivision of Workers' CompensationVenueSatellite FacilityIrreparable HarmAdministrative Law JudgeLabor Code § 138.2(b)Labor Code § 5501.5Goleta District Office
References
Case No. ADJ3283274 (VNO 0386537) ADJ4545965 (VNO 0386536) ADJ3421140 (VNO 0347301)
Regular
Jan 25, 2010

BARBARA STRAUSS vs. WEST MARINE, INC., CIGA for RELIANCE in liquidation, TRAVELERS PROPERTY CASUALTY, FIREMAN'S FUND

This case involves a clerical error in the caption of a prior Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) order denying reconsideration. The error involved the incorrect assignment of ADJ and VNO numbers to the relevant case numbers. The WCAB is correcting this error to accurately reflect the case numbers as ADJ3283274 and VNO 0386537. This correction ensures proper record-keeping for applicant Barbara Strauss and defendants West Marine, Inc., et al.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardOrder Denying ReconsiderationFindings and AwardAdministrative Law JudgeClerical ErrorCorrected Case NumberADJ NumberVNO NumberReversal of NumbersLiquidation
References
Case No. ADJ9400192
Regular
Oct 08, 2015

MARGARITA SANCHEZ vs. CITY OF SANTA BARBARA

In Sanchez v. City of Santa Barbara, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted the applicant's petition for reconsideration. This decision was made to allow the WCAB sufficient time to thoroughly review the factual and legal issues presented in the case. The WCAB aims to ensure a just and reasoned outcome after further study and potential proceedings. All future correspondence regarding the petition must be filed directly with the WCAB Commissioners.

Petition for ReconsiderationWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardADJ9400192City of Santa BarbaraJT2 Integrated ResourcesStatutory time constraintsFactual and legal issuesJust and reasoned decisionOffice of the CommissionersElectronic Adjudication Management System (EAMS)
References
Case No. ADJ7191263
Regular
Aug 17, 2010

CHRISTOPHER PAPPAS vs. COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the County of Santa Barbara's petition for reconsideration, upholding an award for surgical treatment in Germany for Christopher Pappas. The County argued the award was improper because the treating physician's request lacked the required authorization format. However, the Board found the County waived its right to object by not raising this issue earlier and presented no evidence that the surgery was not reasonably necessary. Therefore, the Board affirmed the administrative law judge's decision to grant the award.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardChristopher PappasCounty of Santa BarbaraPetition for ReconsiderationFindings of Fact and Awardsurgical treatmenttreating physicianindustrial injurycumulative traumaspinal surgery
References
Case No. ADJ7632437
Regular
Apr 20, 2015

MARIA GARCIA vs. HISTORIC SANTA MARIA INN, FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY

In this workers' compensation case, the applicant sought to change venue from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara. The initial venue was based on her former attorney's location, but the applicant lives, worked, and was injured in Santa Barbara County, where her current attorney also practices. The Appeals Board granted removal, finding that the Santa Barbara "satellite office" functions as a full trial court office. Therefore, venue was changed to Santa Barbara, as statutory criteria for venue are met and substantial prejudice would result from maintaining the current location.

Petition for RemovalOrder Denying Change of VenueWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardWCJVenueSan Luis ObispoSanta BarbaraSatellite OfficeLabor Code Section 5501.5Application for Adjudication of Claim
References
Case No. ADJ 3006646 (GOL 0101478) ADJ 4273750 (GOL 0101479)
Regular
Dec 23, 2010

YOLANDA ROMO RODRIGUEZ vs. COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA

Applicant Yolanda Romo-Rodriguez sought penalties under Labor Code § 132a, alleging the County of Santa Barbara discriminated against her by denying a 9/80 work schedule after her industrial injury. The WCJ denied the petition, finding no evidence applicant was singled out due to her injury, as others in her training class also worked 40-hour weeks. The employer demonstrated a business necessity for the 40-hour schedule due to call center performance demands. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration, upholding the WCJ's findings.

Labor Code section 132aDiscrimination9/80 work scheduleBusiness necessityReconsiderationPenaltiesFinding of FactIndustrial injuryLauher standardEligibility worker
References
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