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. ADJ4118575 (MON 0342974)
Regular
May 26, 2010

MANUEL ORTIZ vs. TOWER INDUSTRIES, INC., SCIF INSURED INLAND EMPIRE

This case involves an applicant who sustained severe injuries in a riding accident, including multiple pelvic fractures and urological damage, requiring extensive surgeries. The applicant was awarded 100% permanent disability due to his constant pain, limited mobility, and functional impairments, including urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. The defendant appealed, arguing the 100% disability rating was not justified and disputing the findings of sleep disorder and erectile dysfunction. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed the applicant's 100% permanent disability, finding the evidence supported total permanent disability based on the facts of his severe injury and ongoing functional limitations. The Board denied the defendant's petitions for reconsideration.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPermanent Total DisabilityPetitions for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardAgreed Medical ExaminersLabor Code Section 4662Pelvis InjuryLower Extremity InjuryUrethra InjuryPsyche Injury
References
Case No. ADJ3489554 (SFO 0460075), ADJ409657 (SFO 0473579)
Regular
May 10, 2010

REBHI AYESH vs. ARCO/BP AMERICA, Permissibly Self-Insured, Administered By ESIS

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board reversed an administrative law judge's award, ruling that the applicant is not entitled to industrial workers' compensation benefits for erectile dysfunction. The Board found the erectile dysfunction was caused by non-industrial factors like diabetes and smoking, not the applicant's work-related psychiatric injury. While the psychiatric injury was recognized as a compensable consequence of a prior back injury, medical evidence did not sufficiently demonstrate it contributed to the need for erectile dysfunction treatment. Consequently, the Board rescinded the award for further medical care related to the erectile dysfunction.

Workers Compensation Appeals Boardpsychiatric injuryindustrial injurylow back injuryerectile dysfunctiondiabetessmokingmedical treatmentcausationqualified medical evaluator
References
Case No. ADJ6622799
Regular
Oct 18, 2013

TERRY A. WIRTH vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case concerns the denial of a Petition for Reconsideration filed by the defendant, the State of California Highway Patrol. The applicant, Terry A. Wirth, suffered a continuous trauma injury (prostate cancer) leading to urinary and erectile dysfunction. The Appeals Board adopted the Workers' Compensation Judge's report, finding that the date of injury was in 2008, determining the applicable permanent disability compensation rate based on that date. The Board also found ample evidence supporting the agreed medical examiner's impairment ratings for the applicant's post-surgical conditions, dismissing the defendant's objections.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardState of California Highway PatrolState Compensation Insurance FundPetition for ReconsiderationPermanent disability compensation rateLabor Code section 5412Urinary incontinenceErectile dysfunctionCommon postprostatectomy symptomsWhole person impairment ratings
References
Case No. ADJ4118575
Regular
May 26, 2010

MANUEL ORTIZ vs. TOWER INDUSTRIES, INC., SCIF INSURED INLAND EMPIRE

This case involves a worker, Manuel Ortiz, who sustained a severe admitted industrial injury resulting in 100% permanent disability. The defendant, SCIF, sought reconsideration, arguing the WCJ's jump from a 98% to 100% rating lacked sufficient justification and that injury to sleep and erectile dysfunction were erroneously found. However, the Appeals Board denied the petitions, finding the evidence supported the 100% permanent disability rating. The Board emphasized Ortiz's significant injuries, ongoing pain, inability to control bodily functions, and uncorrected erectile dysfunction as establishing total permanent disability.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetitions for ReconsiderationPermanent DisabilityLabor Code section 4662Agreed Medical ExaminersUrological InjuryErectile DysfunctionSleep DisorderPermanent Total DisabilityFindings and Award
References
Case No. STK 100401, STK 102758, STK 151721
Regular
May 01, 2007

JACK LITTLE vs. TRI-VALLEY GROWERS, NATIONAL UNION FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY

Applicant Jack Little sustained admitted industrial injuries to his knees and back, resulting in permanent disability and a need for ongoing medical treatment, including for his hypertension. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration of the finding that applicant's erectile dysfunction is not a compensable consequence of the industrial injuries, as both medical evaluators concluded it was not caused by the work injuries. However, a dissenting commissioner argued for reconsideration to further develop the record regarding whether the industrially-caused hypertension and its medications contribute to the erectile dysfunction.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardTri-Valley GrowersNational Union Fire Insurance CompanyJack Littleindustrial injurieskneesbackmaintenance mechanicpermanent disabilitymedical treatment
References
Case No. ADJ6886029
Regular
Oct 14, 2018

, RAMON ZAMORA vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

This case concerns applicant's claim for new and further permanent disability following a prior stipulated award for heart injury. The Appeals Board found that evidence obtained after the mandatory settlement conference was improperly admitted, as there was no good cause to reopen discovery. Consequently, the Board rescinded the prior award and determined the applicant's injury caused 81% permanent disability based on the admissible evidence. This adjustment included new impairments in the respiratory system and erectile dysfunction, as well as the previously stipulated cardiac conditions.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationPermanent DisabilityNew and Further DisabilityMandatory Settlement ConferenceDiscovery ClosureStipulationCardiomyopathiesValvular Heart DiseaseErectile Dysfunction
References
Case No. ADJ7037201
Regular
Apr 22, 2013

Eddie Avakian vs. CITY OF BALDWIN PARK, ADMINSURE

This case involves an applicant police officer seeking reconsideration of a Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) decision that awarded 72% permanent partial disability. The applicant contended the WCJ erred by excluding sleep disturbances and sexual dysfunction from the disability rating and by apportioning his cardiovascular disability. The WCAB granted reconsideration, rescinded the original award, and found the applicant's sexual dysfunction and sleep disorder compensable. The matter was returned to the trial level for a new decision, with the WCAB stating it would not disturb other findings, including the hypertension apportionment.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardEddie AvakianCity of Baldwin ParkPermissibly Self-InsuredAdministered By ADMINSUREADJ7037201Opinion and Order Granting ReconsiderationDecision After ReconsiderationFindings and Award and OrderAdministrative Law Judge
References
Case No. GOL 0088273
Regular
Aug 18, 2008

ROBERT SIEBURG vs. RONALD WOLFE & ASSOCIATES, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the original award, and returned the case for further development of the record. The Board found the findings of the administrative law judge regarding $97\%$ permanent disability and apportionment were not supported by substantial medical evidence. Specifically, the opinion of Dr. Kahmann was deemed deficient due to internal inconsistencies, lack of explanation for apportionment, and undefined work restrictions. The Board also found Dr. Basham's report did not meet the standard for substantial medical evidence regarding cognitive dysfunction.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDROBERT SIEBURGRONALD WOLFE & ASSOCIATESSTATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUNDGOL 0088273OPINION AND ORDER GRANTING RECONSIDERATIONDECISION AFTER RECONSIDERATIONFindings and AwardWCJmaintenance person
References
Case No. ADJ4317262 (ANA 0327568)
Regular
Apr 13, 2009

JOSE GONZALEZ vs. BURR ROOFING, INC., SCIF INSURED SANTA ANA

The applicant sought reconsideration of a workers' compensation award, primarily arguing the permanent disability rating undervalued his urological condition and the WCJ erred in not crediting vocational rehabilitation expert opinion. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration solely to award additional attorney fees for temporary disability benefits. While the majority affirmed the WCJ's original findings on permanent disability, a dissenting commissioner argued the urological condition was significantly underestimated and requested a new rating.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardJose GonzalezBurr RoofingSCIF Insured Santa Anapermanent disabilityapportionmentrooferupper back injurymid back injurylow back injury
References
Case No. ADJ11197293
Regular
Dec 18, 2020

KEVIN TORRES vs. ARCTIC MECHANICAL, TRAVELERS PROPERTY CASUALTY COMPANY OF AMERICA

This case concerns an applicant's entitlement to an increased impairment rating for sleep dysfunction. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the defendant's Petition for Reconsideration. The Board affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's finding that Labor Code Section 4660.1(c)(1) does not preclude an increased impairment rating for sleep dysfunction if it is directly caused by the industrial injury, rather than a consequence of it. Medical evidence from Dr. Jonathan Wang established a direct causal link between the applicant's sleep dysfunction and the industrial injury. The Board found Dr. Wang's report and deposition testimony constituted substantial medical evidence supporting this conclusion and rejected the defendant's arguments.

Labor Code 4660.1(c)(1)sleep dysfunctiondirect causationincreased impairment ratingcompensable consequencepsychiatric disordersubstantial medical evidenceQME reportdeposition testimonyAMA Guides
References
Showing 1-10 of 96 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