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

Case No. ADJ2719991 (VNO 0485134) ADJ1334047 (VNO 0428744)
Regular
Aug 20, 2009

Catalina Barajas vs. WELLPOINT HEALTH NETWORK, INC., ZURICH LOS ANGELES

This case involves an applicant who initially sustained a cumulative trauma injury to her upper extremities during a period covered by one insurer. After returning to work with modified duties, she experienced a recurrence and worsening of symptoms, necessitating further treatment and surgery, which the Board now recognizes as a separate cumulative trauma injury. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration, reversing the prior finding of a single cumulative trauma injury. The Board held that distinct periods of compensable temporary or permanent disability, as established by medical evidence and treatment, demarcate separate cumulative trauma injuries, aligning with the *Rodarte* precedent. Consequently, the applicant was found to have sustained two separate cumulative trauma injuries, each attributed to different insurance coverage periods.

cumulative traumaanti-merger doctrineLabor Code sections 3208.25303Rodartecompensable temporary disabilitypermanent disabilitywage lossmodified workbilateral upper extremities
References
3
Case No. ADJ8514073 (MF) ADJ9995510 ADJ2721680 (FRE 0187462)
Regular
Sep 24, 2018

VICTOR VILLA vs. JOE CARDOZA DAIRY, PAULA INS. in receivership by CIGA, INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE WEST, SECURITY NATIONAL administered by RISICO, REPUBLIC INDEMNITY administered by SEDGWICK

This case concerns a dispute over the dates of a cumulative trauma injury to the applicant's left knee, following an admitted 1998 specific injury. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration to amend the injury period. The WCAB determined the date of cumulative trauma injury under Labor Code § 5412 was September 4, 2012, the date the applicant retained counsel and gained awareness of the cumulative trauma concept. Consequently, liability for the cumulative trauma injury under Labor Code § 5500.5 was established as September 4, 2011, to September 4, 2012.

WORKERS COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDJOE CARDOZA DAIRYPAULA INSCIGAINSURANCE COMPANY OF THE WESTSECURITY NATIONALREPUBLIC INDEMNITYSEDGWICKVICTOR VILLASUBSEQUENT CUMULATIVE TRAUMA
References
0
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. ADJ4134943 (LAO 0800933), ADJ2639030 (LAO 0847979)
Regular
Jan 14, 2016

ARTURO GUILLEN vs. PRO AMERICA PREMIUM TOOLS, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, INTERCARE INSURANCE SERVICES, PACIFIC NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY, HIGHLANDS INSURANCE COMPANY

This case involves a petition for reconsideration by Highlands Insurance Company regarding a prior decision that found the applicant sustained two cumulative trauma injuries. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed its prior decision, finding one injury occurred when Pacific National Insurance Company was the insurer and the second injury occurred when Highlands was the insurer. Highlands argued the applicant sustained only one cumulative trauma injury or a single specific injury. The Board denied Highlands' petition, upholding the determination of two distinct cumulative trauma injuries.

Cumulative trauma injuryCalifornia Insurance Guarantee AssociationCIGAPacific National Insurance CompanyHighlands Insurance CompanyPro America Premium ToolsPetition for ReconsiderationDecision After Reconsiderationinsurer in liquidationservicing facility
References
1
Case No. ADJ8680977
Regular
Apr 28, 2014

Albert Johnson vs. Southwest Airlines, ACE USA Insurance

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board reversed a judge's decision that barred Albert Johnson's cumulative trauma claim due to the statute of limitations. The Board found that the employer's continued provision of medical treatment for Johnson's injuries tolled the one-year statute of limitations under Labor Code section 5405(c). This treatment, provided after an initial specific injury but before the cumulative trauma claim was filed, was deemed to have also addressed the cumulative trauma elements. Therefore, Johnson's claim for cumulative trauma injury ending August 17, 2009, was found to be timely filed.

Cumulative traumaStatute of LimitationsLabor Code section 5405TollingMedical treatmentSpecific injuryRamp agentSouthwest AirlinesWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsideration
References
1
Case No. ADJ6659926 ADJ6659223
Regular
Jan 06, 2012

MICHELLE JIMENEZ vs. DENCO SALES COMPANY, ACE PROPERTY AND CASUALTY COMPANY, ARGONAUT INSURANCE COMPANY

This case concerns applicant Michelle Jimenez's claim for additional temporary disability benefits for lumbar spine injuries sustained from a specific injury in July 2007 and a cumulative trauma injury ending in July 2008. The Appeals Board found that while the 2007 injury's temporary disability indemnity limit under Labor Code section 4656(c)(1) expired in August 2009, the applicant is entitled to remaining temporary disability under section 4656(c)(2) for the 2008 cumulative trauma injury. Because the applicant had only received 69 weeks of temporary disability for the cumulative trauma injury and is entitled to 104 weeks within five years of the injury date, she is awarded an additional 35 weeks of temporary disability indemnity prior to July 17, 2013.

Labor Code section 4656temporary disability indemnityaggregate disability paymentscompensable weeksperiod of two yearsperiod of five yearsdate of commencementdate of injurycumulative trauma injuryspecific injury
References
4
Case No. ADJ4191064 (AHM 0091361) ADJ3063740 (AHM 0095797)
Regular
Jan 11, 2010

JOSE BARRIOS vs. McPEEK CHRYSLER PLYMOUTH, INC., GAB ROBINS, BROADSPIRE, California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA), Kemper Insurance, Pacific National Company, Cal Indemnity, CalComp Insurance, Pacific Auto Insurance Company

This case involves a workers' compensation claim for cumulative trauma injury to the applicant's neck, back, shoulders, and wrists. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration to amend the date of injury for this cumulative trauma claim. Based on established law regarding the "date of injury" for cumulative trauma, the Board determined that the period of compensable temporary disability commencing in August 2000 constituted sufficient knowledge and disability to establish the injury date. Consequently, liability for the claim, which involved multiple insurers now adjusted by CIGA, was assigned accordingly with a revised injury end date of August 3, 2000.

CIGAKemper InsurancePacific National Companyliquidationcovered claimscumulative traumadate of injurytemporary total disabilityLabor Code section 5500.5Rodarte
References
2
Case No. ADJ6693720
Regular
Mar 15, 2010

KERRY NECHODOM vs. CITY OF GROVER BEACH

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration to amend the date of injury for Kerry Nechodom's right shoulder injury in case ADJ6693720 from February 3, 2007 - September 10, 2009 to August 12, 2008 - September 10, 2009. This amendment acknowledges a separate cumulative trauma injury due to distinct periods of disability and lack of continuous treatment between injuries. The Board affirmed the original award, finding that the applicant sustained two separate cumulative trauma injuries causing distinct periods of temporary disability. The employer's arguments regarding the cumulative trauma period and Labor Code $\S 4656$ limitations were addressed and resolved by this clarification.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardKerry NechodomCity of Grover BeachADJ6693720ADJ5791464ReconsiderationJoint Findings and AwardIndustrial InjuryRight ShoulderCumulative Injury
References
11
Case No. ADJ4048703 (MON 0246736) ADJ3995603 (MON 0246737) ADJ534884 (MON 0295064)
Regular
May 21, 2018

HERMINEGILDA CHAVEZ vs. CHIEF AUTO PARTS, AUTOZONE, INC., INSURANCE COMPANY OF WAUSAU, LIBERTY MUTUAL, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, INTERCARE INSURANCE FOR HIH INSURANCE COMPANY, SEDGWICK CMS, FREMONT INDEMNITY

The Appeals Board rescinded the WCJ's decision regarding applicant Herminegilda Chavez's cumulative trauma injury claim. While acknowledging the applicant sustained a cumulative trauma injury and 100% permanent disability, the Board found error in merging three distinct industrial injuries into a single claim without proper apportionment. Further development of the medical record is required to determine apportionment of disability between the cumulative trauma, a specific injury, and non-industrial factors. The case is remanded for further proceedings and a new decision by the WCJ consistent with established apportionment principles.

Cumulative traumaApportionmentBenson v. WCABSpecific injuryInsurance Guarantee AssociationCIGALiberty MutualWausauMedical opinionPermanent disability
References
5
Case No. ADJ182223 (WCK 0010755) ADJ2640291 (OAK 0313072) ADJ2670444 (OAK 0331911)
Regular
Mar 27, 2009

CLAIRE SCHLOENVOGT vs. GRANNY GOOSE FOODS, INC., CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION BY SERVICING AGENCY, CAMBRIDGE SAN DIEGO, FREMONT INDEMNITY IN LIQUIDATION, TRAVELERS

This case involves applicant Claire Schloenvogt's workers' compensation claims, specifically concerning injuries to his shoulders, neck, and back. The California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA) sought reconsideration of a decision that denied a cumulative trauma injury claim ending on October 31, 1999. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, finding that the Agreed Medical Examiner's (AME) opinion supported a cumulative trauma injury based on the applicant's 30 years of employment. The case is returned to the trial level for further proceedings to include this cumulative trauma injury finding.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardClaire SchloenvogtGranny Goose FoodsCalifornia Insurance Guarantee AssociationFremont IndemnityTravelerscumulative trauma injurybilateral shouldersneckback
References
0
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