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. ADJ1888124 (SAL 0111884) ADJ3322590 (SAL 0079903)
Regular
Oct 20, 2016

MARIA NUNEZ vs. MANN PACKING COMPANY, INC., CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION For FREMONT COMPENSATION INSURANCE COMPANY, In Liquidation; STATE OF CALIFORNIA

This case concerns the California Insurance Guarantee Association's (CIGA) liability for an applicant's workers' compensation claims after Fremont Compensation Insurance Company became insolvent. CIGA argued it should be relieved of liability because the State of California, as the applicant's employer through IHSS, constituted "other insurance" under Insurance Code Section 1063.1. The Appeals Board affirmed the WCJ's decision, holding that the State of California does not qualify as "other insurance" under the relevant statutes. This distinction is based on the State not being required to obtain workers' compensation insurance or a certificate of self-insurance like private or other public employers.

CIGAFremont Compensation Insurance Companyliquidationlegally uninsuredother insuranceInsurance Code Section 1063.1covered claimsIn-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)statutory limitationsself-insurance
References
5
Case No. ADJ8691809
Regular
Apr 14, 2017

NICOLE BORAGNO vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, CDCR - CENTRAL CALIFORNIA WOMEN'S FACILITY CHOWCHILLA, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND/STATE CONTRACT SERVICES

This case involves Nicole Boragno's workers' compensation claim against the State of California, CDCR. The applicant sought reconsideration of a decision denying the admission of a supplemental medical report. The WCAB denied reconsideration, adopting the WCJ's report which found the supplemental report inadmissible. This was because discovery had closed at the mandatory settlement conference, and the defendant failed to establish good cause for introducing evidence not previously disclosed. The WCJ noted there was no change in circumstances to warrant the late-filed report, distinguishing it from precedent that allows such reports.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDPetition for Reconsiderationmandatory settlement conferencediscovery closureLabor Code section 5502(d)(3)good causesupplemental reportPQMEapportionmenttimeliness
References
2
Case No. AHM 70712
Significant
Jul 15, 2002

Jeannie Karaiskos vs. Metagenics, Inc.; California Compensation Insurance Co., In Liquidation; California Insurance Guarantee Association; and Risk Enterprise Management Ltd. (Servicing Facility)

The Board held that liens for Unemployment Compensation Disability (UCD) benefits filed by the Employment Development Department (EDD) are 'covered claims' for which the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA) is liable, as they constitute obligations to the injured worker rather than to the state.

California Compensation Insurance Co.California Insurance Guarantee AssociationCIGAEDD lienUnemployment Compensation Disability (UCD) benefitscovered claimsinsolvent insurerworkers' compensation lawlien trialreconsideration
References
13
Case No. ADJ700106 (SAL 0075388) ADJ4293270 (SAL 0067937) ADJ3847224 (SAL 0067938) ADJ1646200 (SAL 0011386)
Regular
Sep 01, 2015

WILLIE PEARSON vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, Chamberlain's Children Center, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, SUPERIOR NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY

In this workers' compensation case, CIGA sought to be relieved of liability for applicant's medical treatment, arguing that the State of California Department of Corrections ("the State") constituted "other insurance." The Appeals Board affirmed the WCJ's decision that the State does not qualify as "other insurance" under Insurance Code section 1063.1(c)(9)(A). Unlike private self-insured employers, the State is not required to obtain workers' compensation insurance or a certificate of self-insurance, and thus does not fall within the statutory definition of an "insurer." The Board further clarified that the State Compensation Insurance Fund's role in claim adjustment services for the State does not make it "other insurance" when the State is not otherwise insured with SCIF.

CIGASupernational Insurance Companylegally uninsuredother insurancecovered claimsInsurance Code Section 1063.1State of California Department of Correctionsreimbursementstipulated awardjoint and several liability
References
7
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of 360networks (USA) Inc. v. Public Utilities Commission of California (In Re 360networks (USA) Inc.)

The Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of 360networks (USA) Inc. (Debtors) initiated an adversary proceeding against the Public Utilities Commission of the State of California (CPUC) seeking to avoid certain fee payments as preferential transfers under the Bankruptcy Code. The CPUC moved to dismiss the action, asserting Eleventh Amendment sovereign immunity and arguing the court lacked jurisdiction. Judge Allan L. Gropper denied the CPUC's motion, concluding that the court holds in rem jurisdiction over the debtor's property in a preference action. The Court determined that the exercise of this jurisdiction would not offend state sovereignty, citing various forms of potential relief available, including the disallowance of claims by other California state instrumentalities.

Bankruptcy LawSovereign ImmunityEleventh AmendmentIn Rem JurisdictionPreference ActionMotion to DismissPublic Utilities CommissionCalifornia Environmental Quality ActDebtor-Creditor RelationsFederal Jurisdiction
References
45
Case No. ADJ9883212
Regular
May 19, 2018

LADONNA PALEGA vs. CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case concerns a California Highway Patrol officer diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in situ of the cervix. The defendant, California Highway Patrol, sought reconsideration of a finding that this condition constituted an industrial injury under Labor Code section 3212.1. The defendant argued that the applicant's condition was not considered "cancer" and therefore the statutory presumption of industrial causation did not apply. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration, upholding the finding based on qualified medical evaluator Dr. Ngo's opinion that adenocarcinoma in situ qualifies as cancer under the statute. The Board found the defendant failed to rebut the presumption by providing evidence that the exposure to carcinogens was not linked to the disabling cancer.

Labor Code section 3212.1presumption of injurycervical canceradenocarcinoma in situLoop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP)substantial medical evidencepanel qualified medical evaluatordisputable presumptionrebuttal evidencecarcinogen exposure
References
1
Case No. ADJ17068636
Regular
May 19, 2025

KATHLEEN ZEPEDA vs. CALIFORNIA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY, CALIFORNIA RESTAURANT MUTUAL BENEFIT CORPORATION

Applicant Kathleen Zepeda claimed injury to her abdomen, back, and lower extremities while employed by California Baptist University. Lien claimant Medland Medical Group and defendant California Baptist University both sought reconsideration of a February 19, 2025 Findings and Award (F&A). The F&A entitled Medland Medical Group to payment for medical-legal costs related to an April 26, 2023 report but did not find an injury arising out of and in the course of employment (AOE/COE). The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) denied the defendant's petition for reconsideration, granted the lien claimant's petition for reconsideration, and affirmed the F&A with an amendment to explicitly state that the lien claimant failed to meet its burden of establishing injury AOE/COE.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardLien ClaimantPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardMedical-Legal ReportPrimary Treating PhysicianInjury AOE/COESubstantial EvidenceContested ClaimMedical Treatment Costs
References
5
Case No. ADJ4332905 (SAL 0109881)
Regular
Jan 20, 2016

JESUS RODRIGUEZ vs. BUD OF CALIFORNIA

California Physicians Network (CPN) and its representative, Dennise Mejia, were sanctioned $2,500.00 jointly and severally for filing a frivolous and untimely petition for reconsideration that lacked proper verification and contained erroneous facts. The Board dismissed their reconsideration request because it did not challenge a final order and was procedurally deficient. CPN and Mejia failed to respond to the Board's notice of intent to impose sanctions. The defendant's claim for additional trial-level costs and attorney's fees was deferred to the workers' compensation administrative law judge for initial determination.

ADJ4332905SAL 0109881Opinion and Decision After RemovalSanctionCalifornia Physicians NetworkDennise MejiaLien ClaimantLabor Code section 5813(a)Appeals Board Rule 10561Frivolous
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Center for Constitutional Rights v. Department of Defense

The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) initiated this Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the Department of Defense (DOD), FBI, and CIA, seeking the release of images and videos of detainee Mohammed al-Qahtani from Guantánamo Bay. While the DOD and FBI acknowledged possessing such records but withheld them, the CIA issued a Glomar response, neither confirming nor denying their existence. The Court ultimately denied CCR's motion for partial summary judgment and granted the Government's cross-motion for summary judgment. The decision cited national security concerns, including potential harm to military personnel, extremist recruitment, compromised intelligence efforts, and adverse impacts on international relations, as valid reasons for withholding the records and for the CIA's Glomar response under FOIA Exemption 1.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)National SecurityClassified InformationGuantánamo BayDetaineeMohammed al-QahtaniSummary JudgmentFOIA ExemptionsGlomar ResponseIntelligence Collection
References
26
Case No. ADJ2842535
Regular
May 27, 2011

JANE HUTZELL vs. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA at BERKELEY, SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

This case involves a Petition for Reconsideration by applicant Jane Hutzell against the University of California at Berkeley. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration, adopting the judge's report. The judge found that vocational experts' opinions did not adequately address the impact of medical apportionment or the specifics of part-time work availability on the overall industrial disability rating. Therefore, the judge's rating, based on established schedules, was upheld.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationVocational ExpertsLumbar Spine ConditionCumulative TraumaNon-Industrial FactorsObesityApportionmentBilateral Carpal Tunnel SyndromeBilateral Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
References
0
Showing 1-10 of 5,290 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