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. ADJ7673518, ADJ7647749
Regular
Jan 23, 2015

ANA DE AYALA vs. AO-THE UNIVERSITY CORPORATION / CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY NORTHRIDGE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and reversed a prior ruling, finding the applicant sustained industrial injury to her neck. While the applicant testified to injuring her neck in a workplace incident and this was partially corroborated, the Board found insufficient evidence for other claimed injuries. The Board specifically disagreed with the administrative law judge's credibility assessment concerning the neck injury itself, relying on medical reports and testimony supporting the neck injury claim. The Board affirmed the denial of claims for all other alleged injuries, finding insufficient medical evidence to link them to the incident.

Petition for ReconsiderationFindings and OrderIndustrial InjuryNeck InjuryBack InjurySpine InjuryUpper ExtremitiesPsycheGastroesophageal SystemInternal System
References
Case No. ADJ8501790
Regular
Jul 29, 2015

Kelly Chase vs. St. Louis Blues Hockey Club, Federal Insurance Company

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) reversed a prior finding of industrial injury for a professional hockey player against the St. Louis Blues. The WCAB found insufficient connection to California for jurisdiction, citing the player's limited games in the state compared to his overall career. This decision followed the precedent set in *Federal Insurance Co. v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd. (Johnson)*, which requires a legitimate and substantial connection to the state for jurisdiction. The WCAB concluded that 21 games out of 485 did not meet this standard for a cumulative injury claim.

WCABSt. Louis Blues Hockey ClubFederal Insurance CompanyADJ8501790Opinion and Decision After Reconsiderationcumulative industrial injuryprofessional hockey playersubject matter jurisdictionstatute of limitationssubstantial medical evidence
References
Case No. LAO 823855, LAO 823856
Regular
Oct 03, 2007

PEDRO M. RODRIGUEZ vs. RALPHS GROCERY COMPANY

The applicant sought reconsideration of a denial of workers' compensation benefits, which was based on the finding that his claims were filed after notice of termination. The Board affirmed the denial, concluding that the applicant's job abandonment led to a termination prior to the filing of his claims. The Board also determined that the employer properly denied both the specific and cumulative trauma claims, thus negating a presumption of compensability.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and OrderFindings of FactAdministrative Law JudgeApplicantDefendantRalphs Grocery CompanySecurity GuardIndustrial Injury
References
Case No. ADJ7555409
Regular
Mar 04, 2014

JESUS ESCANUELA vs. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, legally uninsured, adjusted by STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted the defendant's Petition for Reconsideration and dismissed the applicant's untimely petition. The WCAB found that the Agreed Medical Examiner's (AME) opinion regarding psychiatric permanent disability was not supported by substantial evidence, as it did not properly address causation under the current PDRS. Consequently, the case is remanded to the trial level for further development of the record concerning psychiatric permanent disability. The WCAB deferred the issue of permanent disability and attorney's fees pending this further development.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardJesus EscanuelaCalifornia Department of Correctionslegally uninsuredState Compensation Insurance FundADJ7555409Fresno District OfficeOpinion and OrderPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and Award
References
Case No. ADJ3015289 (FRE 0242633)
Regular
Jan 06, 2012

SHARON LONG vs. KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITALS administered by KAISER PERMANENTE

This case involves applicant Sharon Long's claim for workers' compensation benefits due to cumulative trauma sustained as a registered nurse for Kaiser Foundation Hospitals. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration, reversing the initial denial of industrial injury. The Board found that Dr. Dureza's opinion, which attributed 33% of applicant's injuries to cumulative trauma from her nursing duties, constituted substantial evidence of industrial causation. The Board remanded the case for further proceedings on orthopedic benefits and the psychiatric injury claim, deferring the EDD lien.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardKaiser Foundation HospitalsSharon LongIndustrial InjuryCumulative TraumaRegistered NurseNeck InjuryLow Back InjurySpine InjuryPsyche Injury
References
Case No. ADJ2552674 (STK 0182074), ADJ2434993 (LAO 0814353), ADJ815249 (STK 0199201)
Regular
Jan 24, 2012

CARLOS GASCA vs. HOWARD MARTIN FARMS, CIGA through its servicing facility INTERCARE INSURANCE for PAULA INSURANCE, in liquidation, CALIFORNIA INDEMNITY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board rescinded the prior award and remanded the case for further proceedings. The Board found that Dr. Abelow's medical opinion lacked substantial evidence due to factual inaccuracies and assumptions, particularly regarding the applicant's injury causation and apportionment. Additionally, Dr. Kimmel's psychiatric opinion failed to meet legal causation standards, deferring to orthopedic findings. The lien claimant's contentions will be reviewed anew by the WCJ upon remand.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCarlos GascaHoward Martin FarmsCIGAIntercare InsurancePaula InsuranceCalifornia IndemnityJoint Findings and AwardAdministrative Law JudgeReconsideration
References
Case No. ADJ9543550
Regular
Aug 06, 2018

JESUS CASTELLANOS VALENTE vs. KASO ENTERPRISES, ZENITH INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the petition for reconsideration in this case, affirming the Administrative Law Judge's (WCJ) findings. The WCJ found the applicant sustained a cumulative trauma injury, resulting in aggravation of pre-existing diabetes and hypertension and development of a sleep disorder. The Board gave great weight to the WCJ's credibility determination, finding no substantial evidence to reject it. The Board also affirmed that the physical consequences of the cumulative trauma, such as the aggravated medical conditions and sleep disorder, were compensable despite the non-compensability of a separate psychiatric injury claim.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationWCJ credibility determinationGarza v. Workmen's Comp. Appeals Bd.specific injurycontinuing traumacumulative injuryorthopedic injurypsychiatric injuryLabor Code section 3208.3(d)
References
Case No. ADJ12672803, ADJ12979844, ADJ12673709
Regular
Apr 24, 2023

FREDDIE BANUELOS vs. ROBERT BERCU, STATE FARM FIRE AND CASUALTY COMPANY, SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration of three prior decisions, affirming the dismissal of the post-termination defense for a right knee injury (ADJ12979844) and a cumulative trauma psychiatric injury claim (ADJ12673709), finding employer knowledge prior to termination. However, the Board amended the decision for a cumulative orthopedic injury claim (ADJ12672803), deferring the finding of industrial injury pending further development of the record regarding specific body parts and treatment needs. The Board also clarified that no psychiatric injury was found to date in ADJ12673709, and arguments regarding medical evidence for that claim were premature.

Post-termination defenseLabor Code 3600(a)(10)Labor Code 3208.3(e)Employer knowledgeIndustrial injuryOrthopedic injuryPsychiatric injuryCumulative traumaSpecific injuryRight knee injury
References
Case No. ADJ3133261 (VNO 0400017)
Regular
Aug 17, 2010

FELIPE TOLENTINO vs. CONCO CEMENT, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, XCHANGING INC., FREMONT COMPENSATION

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) dismissed the lien claimant's petition for reconsideration as premature. The WCAB granted the defendant's petition for reconsideration regarding the temporary disability overpayment issue, deferring it for further proceedings. The Board affirmed the WCJ's findings on injury causation and permanent disability but amended the decision to clarify the overpayment issue. Finally, the WCAB issued a notice of intention to sanction defendant's counsel for attaching and citing unadmitted evidence.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardFELIPE TOLENTINOCONCO CEMENTCALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATIONXCHANGING INC.FREMONT COMPENSATIONliquidationADJ3133261VNO 0400017OPINION AND ORDERS DISMISSING PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION AND GRANTING PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION
References
Case No. ADJ6647815, ADJ6426800, ADJ6673816
Regular
Nov 25, 2013

LUIS BANUELOS vs. ACORN ENGINEERING COMPANY, PACIFIC COMPENSATION INSURANCE COMPANY

The Appeals Board granted reconsideration to review the finding of industrial injury (stroke) by the WCJ, as defendants argued it lacked sufficient explanation. While the WCJ's initial decision was inadequately explained, medical evidence and the applicant's credible perception of work-related stress supported the finding of a stroke. The Board affirmed the finding of industrial injury as a stroke, but deferred all other issues, including the nature and dates of injury, for the WCJ to address with proper explanation. The defendant's reliance on psychiatric injury standards was misplaced, as physical injury from stress has different evidentiary requirements.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings of Factindustrial injurystrokecumulative injuryspecific injurydate of injuryindustrial causationsubjective perception
References
Showing 1-10 of 8,807 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