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. ADJ9509417
Regular
Apr 05, 2023

ELIZABETH ARBOGAST vs. CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed an award for further medical treatment and attorney fees for an applicant diagnosed with ovarian cancer, hernia, peripheral neuropathy, and colon issues sustained during her employment with the California Highway Patrol. The Board found the applicant's ovarian cancer to be an insidious and progressive disease, warranting a reservation of jurisdiction over permanent disability. This reservation allows for future determination of permanent disability if the condition worsens or recurs.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCalifornia Highway Patrolmedically uninsuredState Compensation Insurance FundAdjudication NumberOpinion and Decision After ReconsiderationFindings and Awardworker's compensation administrative law judgeovarian cancerhernia
References
Case No. ADJ14723140
Regular
Aug 08, 2025

Phillip Howlett, et al. vs. California Highway Patrol, State Compensation Insurance Fund

Defendant California Highway Patrol sought reconsideration of a 'Findings and Award' which applied a presumption of compensability for cancer, resulting in the applicant's death. Defendant argued it had rebutted the presumption and that applicant's subsequent employer, University of California Police Department, was liable. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration to correct technical errors in the original F&A, rescinding and reissuing it without substantive changes. The Board affirmed that the Labor Code section 3212.1 cancer presumption applied to CHP employment and was not rebutted. It further clarified that the presumption does not extend to the University of California Police Department, and the defendant provided no evidence of causation under traditional analysis for the subsequent employer.

ADJ14723140Phillip HowlettCalifornia Highway Patrollegally uninsuredState Compensation Insurance FundPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardLabor Code Section 3212.1cancerpresumption of compensability
References
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
Case No. ADJ4400372 (SAC 0282814)
Regular
May 08, 2009

MICHAEL GRIFFIN vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and reversed the WCJ's denial of the applicant's petition to reopen. The Board found that the applicant established good cause to reopen for new and further disability related to his left thumb and heart injuries sustained during his employment with the California Highway Patrol. Substantial medical evidence supported the cumulative trauma to the left thumb and the presumption under Labor Code section 3212.3 applied to the heart injury. The case was returned to the trial level for further proceedings.

ReconsiderationPetition to ReopenNew and Further DisabilityGood CauseLabor Code Section 3212.3Presumption StatuteIndustrial CausationCumulative TraumaStipulated AwardLeft Thumb Injury
References
Case No. SFO 0496923
Regular
Jan 15, 2008

ROBERT THOMPSON (Deceased) NATALIA THOMPSON (Widow) vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL, Legally Uninsured; STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND, Adjusting Agency

This case concerns a California Highway Patrol officer who died from melanoma. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the prior award of death benefits, and found the injury was not industrial. The Board concluded the applicant failed to demonstrate a reasonable link between his employment and the melanoma, citing non-industrial risk factors such as childhood sun exposure and family history.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardRobert ThompsonNatalia ThompsonCalifornia Highway PatrolLegally UninsuredState Compensation Insurance FundSFO 0496923Opinion and Order Granting ReconsiderationDecision After ReconsiderationFindings and Award
References
Case No. ADJ1237800 (AHM0151777)
Regular
Jan 22, 2016

KENNETH ROSENBERG vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL DISABILITY AND RETIREMENT, Legally Uninsured, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND/STATE CONTRACT SERVICES, Adjusting Agency

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration to clarify clerical errors in a previous award. The Board amended the award to reflect that the defendant, California Highway Patrol, is "legally uninsured" and affirmed the application of the "duty belt" presumption (Labor Code section 3213.2). The Board also affirmed the finding of $43\%$ permanent disability, temporary disability, and the denial of apportionment, finding that the defendant waived any due process claims regarding temporary disability by not objecting at trial.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCalifornia Highway PatrolLegally UninsuredState Compensation Insurance FundPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardAdministrative Law JudgePermissibly Self-InsuredLow Back InjuryLeft Shoulder Injury
References
Case No. ADJ10681058
Regular
Oct 21, 2019

MARK MINTON vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL, Legally Uninsured, Administered By STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case involves a petition for reconsideration filed by Mark Minton concerning a workers' compensation decision. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, adopted the WCJ's report, and amended the original decision. The amended decision affirms the finding that Minton sustained a cumulative heart injury arising out of and in the course of his employment with the California Highway Patrol from July 16, 2015, through July 16, 2016.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDPetition for ReconsiderationWCJ reportcumulative injuryDepartment of California Highway PatrolLegally UninsuredState Compensation Insurance Fundheart injuryofficeroccupational group 490
References
Case No. ADJ1 646469
Regular
Feb 06, 2017

ANDREW HERNANDEZ vs. CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL

This case concerns a California Highway Patrol officer who sustained a work-related injury and was temporarily disabled. The Appeals Board initially ruled against the officer's claim for additional compensation, finding he received full salary and that reimbursement for accrued paid leave was outside WCAB jurisdiction. The Court of Appeal annulled this decision, holding that using accrued leave to supplement disability pay constituted a "loss of salary" prohibited by Labor Code section 4800.5. Consequently, the Appeals Board affirmed the original WCJ's award, directing the officer receive compensation for used annual leave, plus interest and penalties.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCalifornia Highway PatrolOpinion and Decision After RemittiturLabor Code section 4800.5Temporary DisabilityFindings and AwardPaid Leave TimeLoss of SalaryJurisdictionPenalties
References
Case No. ADJ1253728 SFO 0509604
Regular
Dec 04, 2012

KENNETH BUMGARNER vs. CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration in *Bumgarner v. California Highway Patrol*. The Board affirmed the original decision but amended Finding of Fact No. 2 to clarify that there is no legal apportionment of permanent disability, specifically regarding the neck injury. This amendment clarifies the non-apportionment principle for permanent disability in this case.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCalifornia Highway PatrolState Compensation Insurance FundPetition for ReconsiderationWCJ ReportDecision After ReconsiderationFinding of FactLegal ApportionmentPermanent DisabilityNeck Injury
References
Case No. ADJ18189096
Regular
May 20, 2025

JARED SANDERS vs. CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

Jared Sanders, an officer for the California Highway Patrol, sustained a cumulative lumbar spine injury. The WCJ previously found 34% permanent partial disability after apportionment. Applicant sought reconsideration, arguing against apportionment under Labor Code sections 4663(e) and 4664(b) and citing a mathematical error. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted the petition for reconsideration, rescinded the WCJ's February 26, 2025 F&A, and returned the matter for further proceedings, noting the defendant's failure to prove overlap between prior and current disability awards.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCalifornia Highway PatrolPetition for ReconsiderationFindings of FactPermanent Partial DisabilityApportionmentLabor Code Section 4664(b)Anti-attribution clauseLabor Code Section 4663(e)Medical Evaluator
References
Showing 1-10 of 2,867 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