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

Case No. ADJ7811956
Regular
Oct 18, 2011

LORI BOZZO vs. SAVEMART, PEGASUS

Applicant petitioned for disqualification of the WCJ, alleging enmity and bias from the attorney due to an incident on September 1, 2011. The WCJ's report stated the incident would not prejudice the attorney or clients, and all decisions are based on evidence. The Appeals Board adopted the WCJ's report, finding no reason to doubt the absence of bias. Therefore, the petition for disqualification was denied.

Petition for DisqualificationWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardAdministrative Law Judgeenmity or biasmandatory settlement conferencesReport and Recommendationevidence presentedday in Courtno bias or enmityDENIED
References
Case No. ADJ8740864, ADJ8764475, ADJ8960944
Regular
Oct 16, 2025

KATHY BRANDOW vs. LAW OFFICES OF WAYNE SINGER, THE HARTFORD

Applicant Kathy Brandow sought to disqualify a workers' compensation administrative law judge (WCJ), alleging bias and conflict of interest. The defendants, Law Offices of Wayne Singer and The Hartford, responded, and the WCJ filed a report recommending denial of the petition. After reviewing all submissions, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the petition for disqualification, finding no grounds for bias or prejudice. The Board further cautioned the applicant against repeatedly filing unmeritorious motions, warning that such conduct could lead to vexatious litigant proceedings.

WCABPetition for DisqualificationWCJ biasconflict of interestLabor Code 5311Code of Civil Procedure 641unqualified opinionenmitybiasWCAB Rule 10960
References
Case No. ADJ13752411
Regular
Oct 10, 2025

Cesar Cruz vs. United Parcel Service, Inc.; Liberty Mutual

Cesar Cruz, the applicant, sought to disqualify a Workers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge (WCJ) based on allegations of general bias. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) reviewed the applicant's petition and the WCJ's Report and Recommendation, which advised against disqualification. Citing various Labor Code and Code of Civil Procedure sections, as well as WCAB rules and case precedents, the Board determined that the applicant's allegations lacked sufficient factual detail and did not demonstrate a fixed bias or an unqualified opinion from the WCJ. Consequently, the WCAB denied the Petition for Disqualification and admonished the applicant about the possibility of being declared a vexatious litigant if similar conduct persists.

Petition for DisqualificationWCJ BiasLabor Code 5311Code of Civil Procedure 641Unqualified OpinionEnmityBiasWCAB Rule 10960AffidavitDeclaration
References
Case No. ADJ7981413; ADJ2876358
Regular
Jun 03, 2025

LORI WILLIAMS vs. WEBCOR BUILDERS, ZURICH NORTH AMERICA

Applicant Lori Williams filed a petition to disqualify WCJ Elizabeth Dehn, alleging bias due to inexperience, ignored medical treatment requests, and lack of penalties. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) considered the petition and the WCJ's report. The WCAB, adopting the WCJ's report, denied the petition, citing that the petition lacked detailed facts under penalty of perjury as required by WCAB Rule 10960 and failed to establish grounds for disqualification under Labor Code section 5311 and Code of Civil Procedure section 641(f) and (g). The WCJ stated that no rulings were made on medical treatment or penalties during the status conference, and denied any bias.

Petition for DisqualificationWCJ DisqualificationLabor Code 5311Code of Civil Procedure 641BiasEnmityUnqualified OpinionAffidavitsDeclaration Under Penalty of PerjuryVerified Allegations
References
Case No. ADJ6905239
Regular
Oct 07, 2025

ROBERT GARRISON vs. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES, SEDGWICK CMS

The applicant filed a petition seeking to disqualify a Workers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge (WCJ) due to alleged bias. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) reviewed the petition, along with the WCJ's Report and Recommendation. The Board determined that the petition did not establish valid grounds for disqualification under Labor Code section 5311 and Code of Civil Procedure section 641, citing that expressions of opinion in official duties or erroneous rulings do not constitute bias. Consequently, the WCAB denied the applicant's petition for disqualification.

Petition for DisqualificationWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardWCJ BiasLabor Code 5311Code of Civil Procedure 641Unqualified OpinionState of Mind Evincing EnmityWCAB Rule 10960Affidavit or DeclarationTimely Filing
References
Case No. ADJ1298920
Regular
Dec 05, 2011

TRUDY LEE vs. CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, ZENITH INSURANCE COMPANY

In this workers' compensation case, the defendant filed a petition to disqualify the Administrative Law Judge (WCJ) based on alleged enmity and bias demonstrated by comments made at a lien trial. The WCJ acknowledged being overly zealous in settlement discussions and apologized for any outburst but denied bias or prejudice. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board reviewed the record and found no evidence of bias or prejudgment by the WCJ. Therefore, the petition for disqualification was denied.

WCABPetition for DisqualificationAdministrative Law JudgeEstrinLien TrialEnmityBiasUnqualified OpinionReport and RecommendationOverly Zealous
References
Case No. ADJ7457608
Regular
Oct 18, 2011

CLARENCE MILES vs. KOHL'S DEPARTMENT STORES, INC., SEDGWICK CMS

This case involves a petition to disqualify a Workers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge (WCJ) due to alleged bias against the applicant's attorney. The applicant's attorney claimed the WCJ demonstrated enmity after a September 1, 2011 incident, which would prejudice his clients. The WCJ submitted a report stating that the incident would not affect his impartiality and that all decisions are based on evidence. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the petition, finding no reason to doubt the WCJ's assurance of fairness.

Petition for DisqualificationWCJ BiasAdministrative Law JudgeEnmityPrejudiceMandatory Settlement ConferenceReport and RecommendationWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardEvidenceDay in Court
References
Case No. ADJ13431115
Regular
Oct 21, 2025

GEORGE AUSTIN vs. BALANCE STAFFING, INC.; XL INSURANCE, administered by GALLAGHER BASSETT

Applicant sought disqualification of the workers' compensation administrative law judge (WCJ) based on allegations of general bias. The Appeals Board reviewed the Petition for Disqualification and the WCJ's Report and Recommendation. Based on their review, the Board denied the petition, concluding that the allegations did not meet the grounds for disqualification. The applicant was also admonished about the potential for vexatious litigant proceedings if their conduct persists.

Petition for DisqualificationWCJ BiasLabor Code 5311Code of Civil Procedure 641Unqualified OpinionEnmity or BiasWCAB Rule 10960Affidavit or DeclarationTimely FilingJudicial Bias
References
Case No. ADJ13220428; ADJ11736712
Regular
Sep 24, 2025

MATTHEW BAILEY vs. HOTLINE ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR INC.

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) denied Matthew Bailey's petition to disqualify the administrative law judge (WCJ). The petition alleged the WCJ was considering sanctions for the applicant's attorney's trial absence due to a calendar conflict and had advised accepting a settlement. The WCAB found the allegations lacked specific facts and did not demonstrate bias or an unqualified opinion on the merits, consistent with legal standards for disqualification. The applicant's attorney was admonished for failing to provide adequate facts and for not promptly notifying the court of calendar conflicts.

Petition for DisqualificationWCJCalendar ConflictSettlement OfferLabor Code Section 5311Code of Civil Procedure Section 641BiasEnmityAffidavitDeclaration
References
Case No. ADJ15605011 ADJ16563992
Regular
Sep 02, 2025

ATEFA SAMADI vs. AMAZON

The applicant, Atefa Samadi, filed a Petition for Disqualification against the WCJ following an expedited hearing. The Appeals Board reviewed the petition and the WCJ's Report and Recommendation. The Board adopted the WCJ's report and denied the petition on the merits, citing Labor Code section 5311 and Code of Civil Procedure section 641, which govern the grounds for disqualification. The WCAB found that the petition did not present sufficient facts to establish disqualification, and a judge's expressions of opinion or erroneous rulings in the discharge of official duties are not evidence of bias. The WCJ's report detailed past hearings where the applicant exhibited disruptive behavior and the WCJ's attempts to ensure due process while managing complex issues.

Petition for DisqualificationLabor Code section 5311Code of Civil Procedure section 641WCJ biasunqualified opinionenmitybiasWCAB Rule 10960affidavitdeclaration
References
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