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

Case No. ADJ9171432
Regular
Apr 25, 2016

Kenneth Evanoff vs. CITY OF LOS ANGELES, SUBSEQUENT INJURIES BENEFITS TRUST FUND

This case involves an applicant seeking reconsideration of a workers' compensation award. The applicant, previously awarded 96% permanent disability for a 2007 injury, suffered a subsequent injury in 2012 resulting in prostate cancer. The initial award used the Combined Values Chart to calculate the combined disability at 98%, entitling him to benefits from the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF). The applicant argues the trial judge erred by using the Combined Values Chart and seeks to simply add the disability percentages, leading to a 100% combined disability. The Board granted reconsideration, finding that in the absence of overlapping disabilities, the disabilities should be added, entitling the applicant to a 100% permanent disability rating and remanding for a new award.

Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust FundSIBTFCumulative Trauma InjuryPermanent DisabilityCombined Values ChartLabor Code section 4664(c)(1)(G)Whole Person ImpairmentWPIDate of InjuryDate of Knowledge
References
1
Case No. ADJ4715065 (WCK 0031972) ADJ3233213 (WCK 0067785)
Regular
May 25, 2010

LINN WILLITS vs. VALLEJO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, SUBSEQUENT INJURIES FUND

The Subsequent Injuries Fund (SIF) sought reconsideration of a WCJ's award finding it liable for benefits for applicant Linn Willits' combined permanent total disability. The WCJ had determined that Willits' 1997 industrial injury, combined with a prior 1993 injury, resulted in 100% disability, and SIF was responsible for the difference. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, affirming the WCJ's finding that the SIF claim was not time-barred. The Board amended the award to correctly state the subsequent injury caused 84.5% permanent disability and clarified SIF's precise weekly payment obligations for life, deducting a prior credit and a 15% attorney's fee.

Subsequent Injuries FundPermanent Total DisabilityCumulative InjurySubsequent InjuryPrior DisabilityStatute of LimitationsReconsiderationFindings and AwardCompromise & ReleaseApportionment
References
2
Case No. ADJ3143756 (SFO 0487728) ADJ317043 (SFO 0488179)
Regular
Nov 22, 2011

MICHAEL MCNAMARA vs. LYNGSO GARDEN MATERIAL, SUBSEQUENT INJURIES TRUST FUND, TRAVELERS SACRAMENTO

This case concerns applicant Michael McNamara's claim for Subsequent Injuries Benefits Fund (SIF) benefits due to three industrial injuries. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (Appeals Board) initially awarded SIF benefits based on 100% permanent disability, but SIF sought reconsideration, arguing the Permanent Disability Rating Schedule's Combined Values Chart (CVC) was not properly applied to avoid overlap between disabilities. The Appeals Board found that the WCJ incorrectly combined disabilities from multiple injuries and rescinded the award. The matter was returned to the trial level for further medical record development to properly assess the applicant's overall disability from all three injuries.

Subsequent Injuries FundPermanent DisabilityCombined Values ChartMultiple Disabilities TableApportionmentOverlapPyramidingWhole Person ImpairmentAMA GuidesLabor Code section 4751
References
6
Case No. ADJ3313842 (MON 0357799)
Regular
Oct 02, 2017

MARIA TALAG vs. SUBSEQUENT INJURIES BENEFITS TRUST FUND OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

This case involves a dispute over a worker's compensation claim against the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF). The original award found the applicant permanently and totally disabled due to a combination of an industrial injury and pre-existing conditions. The SIBTF petitioned for reconsideration, challenging findings related to the severity of the industrial injury and the combination of disabilities. However, the parties subsequently entered into a Compromise and Release agreement. The Appeals Board rescinded the prior award and approved the settlement, finding it adequate and in the applicant's best interest.

Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust FundSIBTFpermanent total disabilitypre-existing disabilityindustrial injurypermanent partial disabilitycompromise and releasereconsiderationFindings of Fact and Awardadministrative law judge
References
0
Case No. ADJ1970560 (OAK 0344240)
Regular
Mar 09, 2016

VAZGEN MANAS vs. THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, as administrator of the SUBSEQUENT INJURIES BENEFITS TRUST FUND

This case concerns a credit sought by the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) for permanent disability advances paid to the applicant. The SIBTF argued that its liability for combined permanent disability should be calculated under Labor Code section 4751, which limits liability to the difference between the combined disability and the disability from the subsequent injury alone. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board agreed, reversing the prior finding that allowed a credit under section 4753 for the employer's payments. The Board clarified that section 4753 applies to payments for preexisting disability, not the subsequent industrial injury, and thus SIBTF's credit is limited by section 4751.

Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust FundLabor Code section 4751Labor Code section 4753permanent disability advancespreexisting permanent disabilitysubsequent industrial injurycombined permanent disabilitycreditWCJFindings of Fact
References
6
Case No. SBR 0283205, SBR 0267402
Regular
Dec 11, 2007

PHILLIP F. GARCIA vs. LOCKHEED MARTIN AIRCRAFT SERVICES, Permissibly Self-Insured, ESIS, TRAVELERS INSURANCE (ADM./ADJ. AGT.)

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration of an award for total permanent disability, which combined the effects of a 1995 shoulder/arm/hand injury and a 1998 bilateral shoulder/upper extremity injury. The defendant, Lockheed Martin, argued that separate awards were required as the injuries became permanent and stationary at different times and affected different body parts. The Board rescinded the award and returned the case to the trial level to await a forthcoming en banc decision on the applicability of the Wilkinson doctrine regarding combined permanent disability awards.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardLockheed Martin Aircraft ServicesPermissibly Self-InsuredESISTravelers InsurancePhillip F. GarciaFurther Supplemental Findings and AwardTotally Permanently Disabled1995 injury1998 injury
References
1
Case No. ADJ5621413
Regular
Sep 15, 2016

LORI RENFRO vs. SUMMIT COUNSELING AND EDUCATION, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND, SUBSEQUENT INJURIES BENEFIT TRUST FUND

This case involves applicant Lori Renfro's claim for Subsequent Injuries Benefit Trust Fund (SIBTF) benefits following a work injury. The WCJ initially awarded benefits, finding the industrial injury's standalone disability exceeded the 35% threshold. The SIBTF appealed, arguing the injury's standalone disability was below 35% and the prior disability should be measured at the time of the subsequent injury. The Appeals Board rescinded the award, finding the WCJ erred by not properly applying the 35% threshold for the subsequent injury alone. The matter is remanded to determine the applicability of Labor Code section 4751(a) and to re-evaluate the 70% combined disability threshold, measuring prior disability as it existed before the subsequent injury.

Subsequent Injuries Benefit Trust FundSIBTFpermanent disability thresholdapportionmentLabor Code section 4751combined disabilityprior disabilitysubsequent injuryvocational expertQME
References
4
Case No. ADJ12660754
Regular
Apr 04, 2025

NANCY ARNOLD vs. SUBEQUENT INJURIES BENEFITS TRUST FUND, et. al.

The Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) sought reconsideration of a WCJ's F&A finding the applicant entitled to SIBTF benefits for 100% permanent total disability. SIBTF contended errors regarding findings on prior/subsequent disabilities, psychiatric disability compensability, and the method of combining disabilities. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the F&A, and remanded the case for further proceedings. The trial level must now address the compensability of psyche injury and permanent disability, and the correct application of the Combined Values Chart.

Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust FundSIBTFpermanent total disabilityprior disabilitysubsequent industrial disabilitypsychiatric disabilitycompensabilityLabor Code section 4660.1Combined Values ChartCVC
References
25
Case No. ADJ6445214, ADJ7300126, ADJ4142400 (SRO 0141131), ADJ1321514 (SRO 0141130)
Regular
Aug 03, 2016

BONNIE MCLAUGHLIN vs. SUBSEQUENT INJURIES BENEFITS TRUST FUND, ALBERTSON'S/SAVE MART

This case involves Bonnie McLaughlin's claim for Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) benefits stemming from multiple industrial injuries to her neck, back, extremities, and psyche. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) overturned a prior decision denying these benefits. The WCAB found that McLaughlin met the criteria for SIBTF eligibility under Labor Code section 4751, as her cumulative injury through May 3, 2007, resulted in additional permanent disability that, when combined with prior injuries, caused a disability greater than that from the subsequent injury alone. Therefore, SIBTF benefits are awarded.

Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust FundSIBTFpermanent disabilitycumulative traumaspecific injuryapportionmentvocational expertAgreed Medical EvaluatorQualified Medical Evaluatorcompensable injury
References
4
Case No. ADJ2651648 (MON 0342704)
Regular
Jul 18, 2017

TERESA SANCHEZ vs. HAWTHORNE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, SUBSEQUENT INJURIES BENEFITS TRUST FUND

The Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) sought reconsideration of an award granting applicant benefits for a 2006 industrial injury, arguing the prior disability rating was insufficient. The applicant had two industrial injuries: a 1997-2002 cumulative trauma and the 2006 specific injury, both causing fibromyalgia. The WCJ found the combined disability from both injuries exceeded the threshold for SIBTF benefits, based on her primary treating physician's rating. The Appeals Board affirmed the WCJ's decision, adopting the judge's report which found the applicant met the criteria for SIBTF benefits, and denied the SIBTF's petition.

Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust FundSIBTFcumulative traumacompensable consequencefibromyalgiapermanent and stationaryAgreed Medical ExaminerAMA Guides1997 rating scheduleprimary treating physician
References
0
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