Norman McAtee vs. Briggs & Pearson Construction, State Compensation Insurance Fund
The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted the applicant's petition for reconsideration, finding that the Administrative Director's prior Independent Medical Review (IMR) determination was based on plainly erroneous findings of fact. The Board concluded that the IMR wrongly stated there was no documentation of improved function or reduced pain with the applicant's Duragesic patches, citing medical reports and applicant testimony to the contrary. Therefore, the IMR decision was rescinded, the applicant's appeal was granted, and the treatment dispute was remanded for a new IMR.