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Case Law Database

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

Case No. 06-11-00094-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 13, 2012

Christopher Castleberry v. New Hampshire Insurance Company

Christopher Castleberry appealed the dismissal of his case against New Hampshire Insurance Company. Castleberry sustained a work-related back injury in 2009, for which he received worker's compensation benefits. The insurer later contested coverage for medications for depression, chronic pain syndrome, chronic myofascial pain, and erectile dysfunction. The Division of Workers’ Compensation Review Board ruled that the compensable injury did not extend to these ailments. Castleberry sought judicial review, but the trial court granted the insurer's plea to the jurisdiction and dismissed the entire suit. The appellate court affirmed the dismissal of claims for depression, chronic pain syndrome, or myofascial pain syndrome, but reversed the judgment concerning the claim for medication for erectile dysfunction, remanding that issue for further proceedings.

Workers' CompensationJudicial ReviewPlea to JurisdictionAdministrative RemediesMedical BenefitsErectile DysfunctionChronic PainDepressionMyofascial PainAppellate Court
References
3
Case No. ADJ1088522 (RIV 0015524)
Regular
Jan 03, 2013

SAMANTHA VAN DUINHOVEN vs. SPA HOTEL & CASINO, CALIFORNIA CASUALTY, Administered by GAB ROBINS NORTH AMERICA

This case involved an applicant who claimed industrial injury to her neck, back, left shoulder, psyche, and associated chronic pain syndrome, resulting in a finding of permanent total disability. The defendant sought reconsideration, arguing the medical evidence did not support injury to the low back or a diagnosis of chronic pain syndrome. The Appeals Board reversed the findings on the low back and chronic pain syndrome, finding no substantial evidence to support them. Consequently, the applicant's permanent disability award was amended to 70%, based on ratings for her neck, left shoulder, and psyche.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardPermanent Total DisabilityChronic Pain SyndromeAgreed Medical EvaluatorQualified Medical EvaluatorMedical Record ReviewIndustrial InjuryPermanent Disability Indemnity
References
0
Case No. ADJ605947 (MON 0274664)
Regular
Feb 02, 2009

LESLIE CELLUCCI vs. FLORENCE MACHINE PRODUCTS, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case concerns a workers' compensation claim for injuries to the applicant's hands, upper extremities, and neck, resulting in chronic pain syndrome and a sleep disorder. The defendant disputed the extent of permanent disability and the diagnoses of chronic pain syndrome and sleep disorder. The Appeals Board affirmed the finding of industrial injury and the 85% permanent disability rating, including the diagnoses of chronic pain syndrome and sleep disorder. The Board also granted reconsideration to amend the award to include a life pension for the applicant, as required by law for an 85% permanent disability finding.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardLeslie CellucciFlorence Machine ProductsState Compensation Insurance FundADJ605947Opinion and Order Granting ReconsiderationFindings and AwardPermanent DisabilityChronic Pain SyndromeSleep Disorder
References
0
Case No. No. M2018-01696-COA-R3-CV; No. 15-4-IV
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 07, 2020

American Board of Craniofacial Pain v. American Board Of Orofacial Pain

This case involves an appeal concerning a failed merger between two professional dental associations, American Board of Craniofacial Pain (ABCP) and American Board of Orofacial Pain (ABOP). ABCP sued ABOP, alleging a breach of an agreement to merge formed through email exchanges and seeking specific performance and damages. The Chancery Court for Davidson County granted summary judgment to ABOP, finding no meeting of the minds and thus no enforceable contract. The Court of Appeals of Tennessee affirmed this decision, concluding that the parties’ objective manifestations showed a lack of mutual assent because an essential term (disposition of intellectual property) was not agreed upon and they intended to reduce the agreement to a formal Memorandum of Understanding, which was never finalized. The court also agreed that specific performance was not an available remedy due to the incompleteness of the purported contract.

Contract DisputeMerger NegotiationsCorporate MergerDental ProfessionMutual AssentSpecific Performance DenialSummary Judgment AffirmationTennessee Court of AppealsContract FormationLack of Agreement
References
26
Case No. 06-11-00094-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 13, 2012

Clyde Washington v. State

Christopher Castleberry appealed the dismissal of his case against New Hampshire Insurance Company, concerning a dispute over workers' compensation benefits for prescribed medications. Castleberry suffered a work-related back injury in 2009. The insurer later contested medications for depression, chronic pain syndrome, chronic myofascial pain, and erectile dysfunction. The Division of Workers' Compensation Review Board ruled against Castleberry regarding these ailments. The trial court subsequently granted the insurer's plea to the jurisdiction and dismissed the entire suit. The appellate court affirmed the dismissal of claims related to depression, chronic pain, and myofascial pain due to a lack of exhausted administrative remedies. However, it reversed and remanded the claim for erectile dysfunction medication, finding that the trial court improperly dismissed this issue, for which jurisdiction existed.

Workers' CompensationJurisdictionPlea to the JurisdictionAdministrative ReviewMedical BenefitsErectile DysfunctionChronic PainDepressionRemandAppellate Procedure
References
15
Case No. ADJ2554534
Regular
Jan 03, 2023

WENDY COLLIE vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the employer's petition for reconsideration of a prior award. The initial award found the applicant sustained an injury AOE/COE to multiple body parts, resulting in permanent total disability without apportionment. The employer argued the finding of chronic pain syndrome was improper, and that the WCJ ignored credibility issues and apportionment opinions. The Appeals Board found substantial medical evidence supported the chronic pain syndrome diagnosis and that the employer failed to provide sufficient evidence for apportionment of permanent disability.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings Award and OrderAdministrative Law JudgeInjury AOE/COELumbar SpineCervical SpineLeft ShoulderRight HipRight Knee
References
20
Case No. ADJ237483
Regular
Nov 13, 2012

RAYEK J. FAHOUM vs. KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITAL

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied Rayek J. Fahoum's petition for reconsideration, upholding the findings of the Workers' Compensation Judge. The Judge's report found Fahoum sustained industrial injury to his neck and low back with secondary chronic pain syndrome, awarding 41% permanent disability. This decision relied on the opinions of the Agreed Medical Examiner and Dr. Renee Rinaldi, who concluded Fahoum experienced symptom magnification and that his condition was chronic pain syndrome, not fibromyalgia as claimed by Dr. Allen Salick. The Board extended great weight to the Judge's credibility findings regarding the medical opinions.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsideration DeniedAgreed Medical ExaminerSubstantial Medical EvidenceFibromyalgiaChronic Pain SyndromeSymptom MagnificationOrthopedic InjuryLumbosacral StrainCervical Strain
References
4
Case No. 2025-60-0029
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 24, 2025

Hubbard, Talin v. Discount Tire, LLC

Mr. Talin Hubbard, a tire technician, sustained a chest injury on February 28, 2023, while working for Discount Tire, LLC. A compensation hearing was held on November 12, 2025, to resolve disputes regarding his permanent disability benefits. The Court adopted Dr. Karen Oldham's 1% whole person impairment rating for chronic pain syndrome, finding Discount Tire did not provide clear and convincing evidence to rebut the presumption of correctness given to the Medical Impairment Rating Registry physician's opinion. Furthermore, Mr. Hubbard was deemed entitled to increased benefits, receiving an award of $2,521.00, due to not returning to work for any employer. The Court also ordered Discount Tire to provide open medical benefits for both costochondritis and chronic pain syndrome, recognizing their work-related causation.

Workers' CompensationPermanent Disability BenefitsImpairment RatingChronic Pain SyndromeCostochondritisMedical Impairment Rating RegistryPreponderance of EvidenceClear and Convincing EvidenceReturn to WorkMedical Benefits
References
3
Case No. ADJ6521264
Regular
Oct 11, 2013

ANGELA STUART-KNIGHTS vs. EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration of an award finding the applicant sustained 66% permanent disability due to a cumulative trauma injury. The applicant argued that the Agreed Medical Examiner's (AME) report rebutted the permanent disability rating, particularly regarding her chronic pain syndrome. However, the WCAB affirmed the original award, deferring to the judge's credibility determination regarding the applicant's demeanor and testimony, which contradicted the AME's assessment of severe pain. Furthermore, the AME himself deferred to another physician on the issue of chronic pain, undermining his report's evidentiary value on that point.

WCABReconsiderationFindings of FactAwardAdministrative Law JudgeWCJCumulative TraumaPermanent DisabilityAMA GuidesAlmaraz/Guzman
References
4
Case No. ADJ3931400 (MON 0218725) ADJ4561489 (MON 0257189)
Regular
Nov 07, 2008

ELLEAN SLAUGHTER vs. CENTINELA HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER/TENET HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

This case involves a petition to reopen a worker's compensation claim where the applicant's permanent disability increased from 77.5% to 100% due to chronic pain syndrome. The defendant argued for apportionment to non-industrial conditions like multiple sclerosis and chronic fatigue syndrome. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the original award, and remanded the case for a new permanent disability rating, specifically requiring apportionment of the increased disability to the applicant's non-industrial conditions as per *Vargas v. Atascadero State Hospital*.

ReconsiderationPermanent DisabilityApportionmentNew and Further DisabilityChronic Pain SyndromeMultiple SclerosisChronic Fatigue SyndromeAgreed Medical ExaminersSB 899Vargas v. Atascadero State Hospital
References
3
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