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. ADJ4034979 (EUR 0039592)
Regular
Mar 10, 2011

BARRY JOHNSON vs. CITY OF ARCATA, REDWOOD EMPIRE MUNICIPAL SONOMA

This case involves a police sergeant claiming industrial prostate cancer due to benzene exposure. Both applicant and defendant sought reconsideration of the initial Findings and Award. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the prior decision, and returned the case for further proceedings due to outstanding issues regarding the date of injury and the compensability of temporary disability. The Board also noted that evidence of benzene exposure appeared to support the presumption of compensability for cancer injuries, shifting the burden to the defendant.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardLabor Code section 3212.1prostate cancerpresumption of compensabilitydate of injuryLabor Code section 5412temporary disabilitypermanent disabilitybenzene exposurecarcinogen
References
Case No. ADJ10685699
Regular
Jan 22, 2019

DAVID CISAR vs. ORANGE COUNTY FIRE AUTHORITY

This case involved a fire captain who claimed industrial injury for melanoma and lymphoma, with the latter being the focus of the appeal. While the applicant was presumed compensable for leukemia/lymphoma under Labor Code section 3212.1 due to benzene exposure, the defendant successfully rebutted this presumption. The rebuttal was based on an independent medical evaluator's opinion that the short period between negative diagnostic tests and the cancer's manifestation made an industrial link unreasonable. The Board adopted this reasoning, denying the petition for reconsideration.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardOrange County Fire AuthorityPermissibly Self-InsuredCorvel CorporationFire CaptainCumulative InjuryMelanomaLymphomaChronic Lymphocytic LeukemiaSmall Lymphocytic Lymphoma
References
Case No. ADJ8518473
Regular
Apr 15, 2015

Gregory Oyler vs. COUNTY OF SONOMA, NORTHERN CLAIMS MANAGEMENT

Applicant sought workers' compensation for kidney cancer, invoking a presumption under Labor Code section 3212.1 due to alleged exposure to benzene as a deputy sheriff. The agreed medical evaluator opined that the cancer's established latency period (11-30+ years) and the applicant's history of tobacco use and hypertension rebutted this presumption. The Board affirmed the WCJ's finding that the presumption was rebutted, as the expert's opinion on latency and pre-existing risk factors constituted substantial evidence. Therefore, the applicant's claim for kidney cancer was denied compensation.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardGregory OylerCounty of SonomaNorthern Claims ManagementADJ8518473Deputy SheriffKidney CancerLabor Code section 3212.1Peace OfficerBenzene
References
Case No. ADJ7050870
Regular
Apr 04, 2018

Kevin Couch vs. COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE

This case involves a deputy sheriff diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who sought workers' compensation benefits. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration and found the applicant's CLL to be industrially caused. The WCAB determined that the applicant was entitled to the presumption of compensability under Labor Code section 3212.1 due to his documented exposure to benzene, a known carcinogen in gasoline and diesel exhaust. The Board concluded that the defendant failed to rebut this presumption, despite evidence suggesting an alternative cause, because they did not demonstrate by substantial evidence that the carcinogen was not reasonably linked to the applicant's condition. Therefore, the WCAB rescinded the prior decision and issued a new finding of injury.

Labor Code section 3212.1presumption of compensabilitychronic lymphocytic leukemiadeputy sheriffbenzenegasoline exhaustdiesel exhaustcarcinogen exposurelatency periodAgreed Medical Examiner
References
Case No. ADJ8157891
Regular
Apr 15, 2016

JESSE CASTELLON vs. ORANGE COUNTY VECTOR CONTROL, ACCLAMATION INSURANCE MANAGEMENT SERVICES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the defendant's petition for reconsideration of a finding that pesticide exposure contributed to the applicant's lymphoma, diabetes, and hypertension. The defendant argued the relied-upon medical expert erred by discussing Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma instead of the applicant's diagnosed Hodgkin's Lymphoma. However, the Board found the expert's report sufficiently addressed Hodgkin's Lymphoma and its link to benzene exposure, incorporating the WCJ's reasoning. Therefore, the Board affirmed the original findings and denied the petition.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings of Factindustrial causationpesticide exposurelymphomadiabeteshypertensionsubstantial medical evidenceDr. Nachman Brautbar
References
Case No. ADJ6571874, ADJ7967746
Regular
Oct 21, 2013

DARYL BRISTOL vs. CITY OF SANTA MONICA, CITY OF SANTA MONICA RISK MANAGEMENT

The Board denied the applicant's reconsideration regarding his claimed cumulative trauma injury of multiple myeloma, agreeing with the WCJ that employment exposure to benzene was insufficient to establish causation. The Board granted the defendant's reconsideration regarding a specific arm/shoulder injury, affirming it was not due to horseplay. However, the Board amended the award for this specific injury to limit temporary disability benefits to August 26, 2008, finding subsequent disability was due to the applicant's non-industrial cancer. All other issues related to the specific injury remain deferred.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardCumulative TraumaInternal SystemCancerMultiple MyelomaLabor Code Section 3212.1Presumption of Compensable InjurySpecific InjuryRight Arm and ShoulderHorseplay
References
Case No. ADJ1150041 (FRE 0244995)
Regular
Apr 23, 2012

JAMES CARTER (Deceased) EVELYN CARTER (Widow) vs. SUBURBAN STEEL, INC.; FRESNO FAB TECH; REM; and CIGA for SUPERIOR NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY, in liquidation

The Applicant seeks reconsideration of the denial of her deceased husband's workers' compensation claim, arguing that the medical evidence is insufficient and biased. The Appeals Board dismissed her petition, finding it to be a successive petition challenging a prior denial, which is not permitted. Furthermore, her petition for removal to disqualify the judge was dismissed for failing to meet procedural requirements. The Board upheld the original finding that the cancer and death did not arise out of employment, relying on the well-reasoned medical opinion of Dr. O'Neill.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationPetition for RemovalSuccessive petitionsWrit of reviewCourt of AppealsDisqualification of WCJRule 10452Cancer and deathWelding
References
Case No. ADJ6720899
Regular
May 15, 2012

MELISSA ROSAS vs. CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO POLICE DEPARTMENT, CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the City of San Bernardino Police Department's petition for reconsideration. The Board adopted the judge's report, which found the applicant, Melissa Rosas, sustained a compensable injury in the form of cancer. This decision was based on the applicant being a police officer exposed to known carcinogens and the presumption under Labor Code § 3212.1 not being rebutted by the defense. The judge found the applicant's treating physician's opinion on variable cancer latency periods more persuasive than the defense expert's.

Labor Code § 3212.1cancer presumptionpolice officercarcinogen exposurebenzenecigarette smokegasoline fumesauto accidentsvehicle firesresidence fires
References
Case No. ADJ176741
Regular
Jan 27, 2009

Anthony Anderson vs. CITY OF PASADENA POLICE DEPARTMENT, HAZELRIGG RISK MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.

The WCJ initially found that the applicant did not sustain an injury arising out of his employment as a police officer. Reconsideration was granted, and the Board found that applicant sustained a cumulative trauma injury in the form of colon cancer.

Labor Code section 3212.1presumption of compensabilitycolon cancerpolice officercarcinogen exposurebenzeneasbestosagreed medical evaluatorsubstantial medical evidencerebutting presumption
References
Case No. ADJ9773810
Regular
Oct 25, 2017

Michele Ligouri vs. CITY OF CONCORD, YORK RISK SERVICES GROUP

This case involves a police officer's claim for workers' compensation benefits for breast cancer. The applicant was entitled to a legal presumption that her cancer was industrially caused. The defendant argued the presumption was rebutted because the latency period for her cancer exceeded her period of employment, based on a QME's opinion. However, the Appeals Board found the QME's opinion did not definitively rule out a shorter latency period for the applicant's aggressive cancer, thus failing to rebut the presumption. The Board granted reconsideration, amended the findings to include the presumption, and returned the case for further proceedings.

Labor Code section 3212.1presumptionindustrial cumulative trauma injurybreast cancerlatency periodQualified Medical Evaluator (QME)rebuttedmedical probabilityaggressive form of cancercarcinogens
References
Showing 1-10 of 15 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