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

Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Neal v. Blue Circle Cement

The claimant, a laborer, suffered a compensable back injury in November 1998 and returned to work after eight months. In January 2002, he sustained another back injury. A Workers’ Compensation Law Judge determined that the January 2002 injury was an aggravation of the prior 1998 injury, assigned disability levels from January 2002 to April 2003, and found no compensable lost time thereafter. The Workers’ Compensation Board affirmed this decision. The Appellate Division found substantial evidence, including medical testimony and MRI comparisons, to support the Board’s determination regarding the aggravation of the injury and the disability levels. The court also upheld the Board's prerogative to resolve conflicting medical evidence and make credibility determinations, particularly in light of evidence that the claimant exaggerated his symptoms.

Workers' CompensationBack InjuryAggravation of InjuryDisability LevelsMedical EvidenceCredibility AssessmentEmployer LiabilityJudicial ReviewAppellate DivisionAdministrative Law
References
4
Case No. ADJ7832100
Regular
Jan 09, 2017

William Reid vs. Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund

This case involves a Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) claim where the applicant, William Reid, sought benefits due to a cumulative injury to his feet and back. The SIBTF petitioned for reconsideration, arguing the applicant's subsequent injury alone did not meet the statutory threshold for benefits and that prior impairments were asymptomatic or improperly assessed. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the petition, adopting the WCJ's report. The WCJ found the applicant met the 5% opposite and corresponding impairment threshold with a combined permanent disability rating of 10% from his feet and back, and that pre-existing conditions like hypertension and gout qualified as disabling impairments. Ultimately, the WCJ concluded the applicant was rendered totally permanently disabled, establishing SIBTF liability.

Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust FundLabor Code section 4751opposite and corresponding thresholdpermanent disabilitycumulative traumaasymptomatic impairmentvocational rehabilitation consultantOrthopedic AMEDr. DevorDr. Panting
References
1
Case No. ADJ1310486 (SJO 0213888) MF ADJ1499344 (SJO 0213956) ADJ3317107 (SJO 0213886)
Regular
Jun 08, 2016

BRIAN BERNSTEIN vs. ENTERTAINMENT BY J&J, INC., UNINSURED EMPLOYERS FUND, GAGLIARDI BROTHERS INSURANCE, THE HARTFORD

This case concerns a workers' compensation claim where the applicant sought benefits for cumulative industrial injury to his back. The administrative law judge initially found no cumulative injury, but a petition for reconsideration was granted. Upon review, the Appeals Board affirmed the original decision, finding substantial medical evidence supported the conclusion that the applicant's back condition was a result of a specific injury sustained on January 17, 1999, and not a separate cumulative trauma. Therefore, liability for the applicant's condition rests on the admitted specific injury.

Petition for ReconsiderationCumulative InjurySpecific InjurySubstantial Medical EvidenceConflicting Medical ReportsWCJ DecisionAppeals BoardUninsured EmployerIndustrial InjuryLow Back Injury
References
6
Case No. ADJ488924 (SDO 0329999), ADJ226519 (SDO 0302236), ADJ2353553 (SDO 0250184), ADJ4021935 (SDO 0269434)
Regular
Dec 10, 2020

Craig Stevens vs. Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) rescinded a previous order denying benefits from the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF). Applicant Craig Stevens sought SIBTF benefits for a claimed subsequent cumulative trauma injury to his neck ending April 2, 2009, with a compensable consequence injury to his right shoulder and low back. The WCAB found the medical evidence regarding the causation, date of injury, and permanent disability ratings for the alleged subsequent injuries, as well as prior injuries, to be insufficient and inconsistent. The case was returned to the trial level for further development of the record, including obtaining new medical opinions to clarify the various injuries and establish SIBTF eligibility thresholds.

Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust FundSIBTF eligibilitycumulative trauma injurycompensable consequence injurypermanent disabilityapportionmentmedical evidencecausationfurther development of the recordLabor Code section 4751
References
9
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of La Fave v. St. Lawrence County

Claimant sustained a work-related back injury in October 1992. Years later, in November 1996, he was diagnosed with sciatica and a herniated disc, leading to surgery in March 1997. The Workers’ Compensation Board concluded that his back condition was causally related to the 1992 injury. The employer appealed this decision. The court affirmed the Board's finding, noting medical evidence supporting the causal relationship from the treating orthopedist and an independent medical examiner, despite the employer's consultant expressing doubts. The court also found no abuse of discretion by the Board in rejecting the employer's request for further record development due to untimeliness.

Workers' CompensationBack InjuryCausal RelationshipMedical EvidenceIndependent Medical ExaminationBoard DecisionAppealAffirmationTimelinessRecord Development
References
4
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. SAC 0342537, SAC 0365636
Regular
Aug 04, 2008

JUDY HAMILTON vs. PLACER COUNTY WATER AGENCY, DISCOVER PROPERTY & CASUALTY, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, finding the WCJ inadvertently omitted a finding of industrial injury to the applicant's low back within the cumulative trauma. While upholding the denial of a specific low back injury claim, the Board corrected the cumulative trauma finding to include the low back. Furthermore, the Board removed the 50% apportionment of permanent disability for the low back due to insufficient medical evidence, ultimately increasing the applicant's permanent disability award.

Cumulative TraumaApportionmentCausationPermanent DisabilityLabor Code Section 4663Dr. YashrutiDr. GlanczWCJPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and Award
References
4
Case No. ADJ2307991 (VNO 0427797) (MF) ADJ3536405 (VNO 0336819) ADJ487962 (VNO 0533632)
Regular
Jun 14, 2018

JACQUELINE AUSTIN vs. FIRST FOURSQUARE CHURCH OF VAN NUYS, GUIDE ONE MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY, FREMONT, CIGA, CYPRESS INSURANCE COMPANY, FOREST LAWN MEMORIAL PARK, SAFECO INSURANCE, TRAVELERS PROPERTY CASUALTY COMPANY

This case involves an applicant who sustained two separate cumulative trauma injuries to her neck, back, and gastrointestinal system, including GERD and fibromyalgia. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) affirmed the findings that the applicant suffered distinct industrial injuries during employment with First Foursquare Church (insured by Cypress) and Forest Lawn Memorial Park (insured by Travelers). Defendant Cypress contested the dating of the injury and the finding of two separate cumulative trauma periods, while Travelers challenged the sufficiency of medical evidence for one injury. The WCAB found Cypress waived the issue of one versus two cumulative trauma injuries by failing to raise it timely. Ultimately, the WCAB adopted the WCJ's findings, confirming the two separate cumulative trauma periods and the respective carrier liabilities.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationCumulative TraumaDate of InjuryLabor Code Section 5412Labor Code Section 5500.5Findings of FactAward and OrderAdministrative Law JudgeCypress Insurance Company
References
9
Case No. ADJ3145654 (SAL 0095201) ADJ1701023 (SAL 0110150) ADJ2624891 (SAL 0110151)
Regular
Oct 13, 2017

KELLIE ALBERT vs. COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ, SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

This case concerns an applicant with admitted industrial injuries to her left knee, low back, and psyche. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) affirmed the finding of permanent total disability due to a cumulative trauma back injury, supported by medical and vocational expert opinions. However, the WCAB granted reconsideration to limit temporary disability indemnity for the cumulative trauma injury to 104 weeks, as required by Labor Code section 4656. The WCAB rejected the employer's arguments regarding apportionment of knee disability and the exclusion of medical reports.

Agreed Medical ExaminerPermanent Total DisabilityCumulative Trauma InjurySpecific InjuryApportionmentWhole Person ImpairmentVocational EvaluationLabor Code Section 4656Labor Code Section 4659Reconsideration
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Tucci v. Kimball

Claimant, a nursery school teacher, sustained a work-related lower back injury in December 1974, leading to permanent partial disability and workers’ compensation benefits. Following a second laminectomy in 1993, she developed worsening urinary incontinence. The Workers’ Compensation Board affirmed a finding that claimant was totally disabled due to this condition, deeming it a consequence of her original work-related injury. The employer and its workers’ compensation carrier appealed. The appellate court affirmed the Board’s decision, noting that while conflicting medical opinions existed, the neurologist’s testimony provided substantial evidence to support the finding of total disability stemming from the 1974 injury.

work-related injurylower back injuryurinary incontinencepermanent partial disabilitytotal disabilitylaminectomymedical opinionsneurologist testimonysubstantial evidenceWorkers' Compensation Board
References
1
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