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

Case No. CV-24-1279
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 11, 2025

In the Matter of the Claim of Michael Howard

Claimant Michael Howard appealed a Workers' Compensation Board decision denying his request to amend his claim to include bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. Howard sustained multiple injuries in a 2018 assault, and his claim was later amended for various conditions. His treating physician, Ranga Krishna, diagnosed bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome in 2021, linking it to the 2018 accident. However, the carrier's consultant found a bilateral wrist sprain but no causally related carpal tunnel syndrome after examinations in 2021 and 2023, citing a lack of corroborative clinical findings despite EMG results. Both the Workers' Compensation Law Judge and the Board credited the carrier's consultant, denying the amendment due to insufficient credible evidence of causation. The Appellate Division affirmed the Board's decision, deferring to its factual determinations and assessments of medical witness credibility, which were supported by substantial evidence.

Carpal Tunnel SyndromeCausation DisputeMedical Opinion ConflictCredibility of Medical WitnessesSubstantial Evidence ReviewWorkers' Compensation Board AffirmanceClaim Amendment DenialBilateral Wrist InjuryElectromyography FindingsAppellant Burden of Proof
References
8
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Matter of Scuderi v. Mazzco Enterprises

Claimant, a union carpenter, filed a workers' compensation claim in 2010 for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, which was deemed an occupational disease with a disability onset of June 25, 2010. The workers’ compensation carrier for his last employer, Mazzco Enterprises, sought to apportion liability among claimant’s previous employers, including JD Consulting LLC. The Workers’ Compensation Board ultimately determined the disease was contracted on August 14, 1998, and assigned 45% of the liability to JD Consulting and its carrier. JD Consulting and its carrier appealed, contending that the Board's selection of the contraction date lacked substantial evidentiary support, as the claimant could not recall the onset of symptoms and his treating physician provided no definitive opinion on the matter. The Appellate Division concurred, reversing the Board's decision and remitting the case for further proceedings due to the insufficient evidence supporting the chosen date of contraction.

Workers' CompensationOccupational DiseaseCarpal Tunnel SyndromeApportionment of LiabilityEmployer LiabilitySubstantial EvidenceAppellate ReviewReversalRemittalNew York Law
References
8
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 04, 2006

Claim of McKenzie v. UJA-FED

Claimant, employed in data entry, developed bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and sought workers' compensation benefits. The Workers' Compensation Law Judge initially dismissed the claim, but the Workers' Compensation Board reversed, finding the condition to be an occupational disease causally related to employment, based on agreement between the treating physician and an independent medical examiner, and the carrier's failure to request cross-examination. The carrier appealed, arguing the Board erred in its finding regarding cross-examination and mischaracterized medical evidence. The appellate court affirmed the Board's decision, ruling that the carrier waived its right to cross-examination by not making a timely request and finding no basis to disturb the Board's assessment of the medical evidence.

Occupational DiseaseCarpal Tunnel SyndromeWorkers' CompensationMedical EvidenceCross-Examination WaiverAppellate ReviewCausationEmployment-Related InjuryMedical Expert TestimonyBoard Decision Appeal
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Barnett v. Milan Seating Systems

Frances Barnett, an employee of Milan Seating Systems, suffered bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, leading to two workers' compensation lawsuits. The first settled a left-hand injury, while the second sought compensation for a right-hand carpal tunnel and a cubital tunnel injury. A key issue on appeal was whether Barnett was still employed by her "pre-injury employer" after Milan Seating was sold to Kongsberg Automotive, which impacted the application of a 1.5 multiplier to her benefits. The court reversed the chancery court's decision, ruling that a company sale means an employee is no longer with the pre-injury employer, thus lifting the 1.5 multiplier cap for the cubital tunnel injury. However, the appellate court affirmed the chancery court's finding that the right carpal tunnel injury was not new, and further compensation was barred by res judicata. The case was remanded for vocational disability determination regarding the cubital tunnel injury without the multiplier limitation.

Workers' CompensationCarpal Tunnel SyndromeCubital Tunnel SyndromePre-Injury EmployerStatutory InterpretationRes JudicataPermanent Partial ImpairmentVocational DisabilityCompany SaleMultiplier Cap
References
14
Case No. 2019 NY Slip Op 06836
Regular Panel Decision
Sep 26, 2019

Matter of Christensen-Mavrigiannakis v. Nomura Sec. Intl., Inc.

Claimant Deborah Christensen-Mavrigiannakis sustained a workplace injury from a fall, initially establishing claims for neck and back injuries. The Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) later amended the claim to include a left shoulder injury and subsequently bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and right cubital tunnel syndrome, along with awards at a temporary total disability rate. On appeal, the Appellate Division affirmed the WCB's decision regarding the left shoulder injury, citing substantial evidence based on the treating physician's testimony. However, the court reversed the WCB's amendment for the carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndromes, finding the medical opinion supporting causal relationship irrational. The Appellate Division upheld the WCB's finding of total disability and associated awards, acknowledging the Board's authority to modify prior decisions.

Workers' CompensationCausal RelationshipMedical EvidenceLeft Shoulder InjuryCarpal Tunnel SyndromeCubital Tunnel SyndromeIndependent Medical Examination (IME)Workers' Compensation Board (WCB)Appellate ReviewSubstantial Evidence
References
12
Case No. ADJ9625407
Regular
Sep 12, 2018

KEITH FIELD vs. CITY OF PINOLE

This case involves a firefighter who sustained bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome after retirement. The Appeals Board reversed the trial judge, holding that Labor Code section 4458.5 applies, entitling the applicant to permanent disability benefits calculated at the maximum indemnity rate. This applies regardless of the applicant's actual earnings or the fact that carpal tunnel syndrome is not a specifically enumerated presumptive injury. The case is remanded for determination of the precise date of injury to calculate the benefit rate.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardKeith FieldCity of PinolePermissibly Self-InsuredMunicipal Pooling AuthorityADJ9625407Opinion and Decision After Reconsiderationindustrial injuryfirefighterbilateral upper extremities
References
6
Case No. ADJ9582137
Regular
Sep 20, 2016

SHERYL FEVOLD MILTON vs. COUNTY OF TULARE

This case involves a worker injured in an industrial accident, sustaining shoulder injuries and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The defendant employer sought to delay mandated home modifications until post-surgery recovery, arguing they weren't medically necessary. However, the court found that the modifications were primarily necessitated by the shoulder injuries, not the carpal tunnel syndrome. Medical experts and an occupational therapist confirmed the need for these modifications to enable the applicant's return to independent living and work. Therefore, the defendant's petition for reconsideration was denied, upholding the order for home modifications.

home modificationspermanent and stationarycarpal tunnel release surgerybilateral shouldersrotator cuff tearT-12 paraplegicoccupational therapistcertified aging-in-place specialistskilled nursing facilityindependent living
References
0
Case No. ADJ602790 (STK 0179563)
Regular
Jul 17, 2012

TRACEE MAWYER vs. GALLO GLASS COMPANY

This case involves Tracee Mawyer's workers' compensation claim against Gallo Glass Company for cumulative trauma injuries. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, reversing the trial judge's denial of injury to applicant's bilateral upper extremities, specifically carpal tunnel syndrome. The Board found Dr. Clayman's reports sufficiently supported an industrial injury to the upper extremities and awarded additional temporary disability for the period following carpal tunnel surgery. The case was returned for a new permanent disability rating for the upper extremity injuries.

Cumulative traumabilateral upper extremitiescarpal tunnel release surgerytemporary disabilitypermanent disability ratingreconsiderationDr. Claymanneck injuryshoulder injuryspine injury
References
0
Case No. 2019-06-2228
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 10, 2020

Barbary-Smith, Shanika v. Hendrickson USA, LLC

Shanika Barbary-Smith requested an expedited hearing for work-related bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, seeking temporary disability, medical benefits, and reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses. She alleged her condition stemmed from repetitive work at Hendrickson USA, LLC. The Court denied benefits, finding insufficient proof of medical causation. Dr. Robert Kasper's opinion did not support a work-related cause, and Dr. William DeVries did not provide a contradictory causation opinion to rebut it. The Court concluded Ms. Barbary-Smith is unlikely to prove at a final hearing that her carpal tunnel syndrome is work-related and denied benefits at this time. A scheduling hearing has been set.

Carpal Tunnel SyndromeRepetitive Motion InjuryMedical CausationTemporary Disability BenefitsMedical Benefits DenialUnauthorized Medical TreatmentExpedited HearingWorkers' Compensation ClaimsTennessee Labor LawEmployer Liability
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Torres v. Kaufman's Bakery

A claimant, a machine operator and supervisor, developed bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and flexor tenosynovitis, and separately, a back injury. His claim for workers’ compensation benefits for the carpal tunnel syndrome was established, and he was classified with a permanent partial disability. The employer and its workers’ compensation carrier sought reimbursement from the Special Disability Fund, arguing the 2004 back injury constituted a preexisting permanent impairment hindering job potential. The Workers’ Compensation Board granted the application for reimbursement, leading the Fund to appeal this decision. The appellate court found substantial evidence to support the Board's determination that the claimant's back injury was indeed a preexisting permanent physical impairment which was likely to hinder employment, thus upholding the Board's decision.

Workers' CompensationSpecial Disability FundReimbursement ClaimPermanent Partial DisabilityPreexisting Permanent ImpairmentCarpal Tunnel SyndromeBack InjuryHindrance to EmploymentMaterially and Substantially Greater DisabilityAppellate Review
References
7
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