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Case Law Database

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

Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Notaro v. Koch

The plaintiffs (James Notaro, George Longworth, and Pearse O’Callaghan), members of the Liberal Party, sued Edward Koch, Mayor of New York City and a gubernatorial candidate, alleging violations of their First Amendment rights. They claimed Koch threatened to fire Liberal Party members from state payroll if elected Governor and sought a permanent injunction under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The plaintiffs filed a motion for expedited discovery to depose Koch within 30 days. The court denied this motion, finding the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate irreparable injury, a strong probability of success on the merits, a connection between expedited discovery and avoiding injury, or that their potential injury outweighed the defendant's burden. The court also noted weaknesses in their legal arguments, including prematurity and lack of state action, but denied the motion without prejudice, allowing them to refile with a stronger case.

Political AffiliationFirst Amendment RightsFreedom of SpeechExpedited DiscoveryCivil RightsIrreparable InjuryPreliminary InjunctionFederal Rules of Civil Procedure 30(a)Constitutional LawGubernatorial Election
References
7
Case No. ADJ16458244
Regular
Jul 07, 2025

LAVERNE RIVERA vs. CRST EXPEDITED INC., COTTINGHAM BUTLER CLAIM SERVICES

Applicant Laverne Rivera, a truck driver, sustained an industrial injury to her face, head, and cervical spine. The WCJ issued a Findings and Award on April 2, 2025, finding in favor of Rivera for temporary disability benefits and further medical treatment. Defendant CRST Expedited Inc. sought reconsideration, challenging the findings on cervical spine injury, average weekly wage, and the validity of the QME process. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the petition for reconsideration, affirming the WCJ's decision based on substantial medical evidence and concluding that defendant waived certain arguments.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and Awardtruck drivercervical spine injuryaverage weekly wagetemporary disability benefitspanel QMEsubstantial medical evidenceearning capacity
References
17
Case No. ADJ4552593 (MON 0258406)
Regular
Mar 26, 2012

KIMBERLY DENOVA-JOY vs. SANTA PAULA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT, CIGA on behalf of FREMONT INSURANCE COMPANY in liquidation, as administered by CAMBRIDGE INTERGRATED SERVICES

This case concerns an applicant's due process claim regarding the denial of an expedited hearing for temporary disability benefits. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted removal, finding the administrative law judge (WCJ) improperly removed the issue from the expedited hearing track. The WCAB held that the need for record development on permanent disability did not preclude an expedited hearing for temporary disability, which had been pending for over ten years. The Board rescinded the WCJ's order and returned the case for an expedited hearing.

Petition for RemovalExpedited HearingTemporary Disability IndemnityWCABWCJPWCJDue ProcessLabor Code Section 5502(b)Rule 10252(c)Permanent Disability
References
0
Case No. ADJ11235958
Regular
Jul 25, 2018

Scot Turknette vs. COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO

The Appeals Board granted removal of this workers' compensation case, rescinding the expedited hearing's cancellation. The applicant, a potential firefighter, sought an expedited hearing on entitlement to Labor Code section 4850 salary continuation benefits, which would provide full salary for up to one year, exceeding temporary and permanent disability payments. The Board found that denial of an expedited hearing for these benefits, which are paid in lieu of temporary disability, would cause significant prejudice and harm. The case is remanded for an expedited hearing on the applicant's section 4850 benefit claim.

Labor Code section 4850salary continuation benefitsfirefighter classificationexpedited hearingPetition for Removalsignificant prejudiceirreparable harmtemporary disability indemnityPresiding WCJMMI status
References
3
Case No. ADJ7523380
Regular
Jul 17, 2015

SALVADOR ULLOA vs. PRAXAIR, INC.

The Appeals Board granted applicant's Petition for Removal, rescinding the WCJ's order taking the case off the expedited hearing calendar. The Board found that a dispute over medical treatment for a serious injury, despite a disputed psychiatric component, warrants expedited review. While a complexity may necessitate redesignation as a Mandatory Settlement Conference, the OTOC itself caused substantial prejudice due to delays in crucial psychiatric treatment. The matter is returned to the WCJ to be reset on the expedited hearing calendar.

RemovalOrder Taking Off CalendarExpedited HearingMandatory Settlement ConferenceDisputed Body PartMedical TreatmentPsychiatric ConditionSerious InjuryUpper ExtremitiesAOE/COE Dispute
References
2
Case No. ADJ1122368 (SJO 0223390)
Regular
Mar 24, 2015

MINH LY vs. LORAL SPACE SYSTEMS, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION for RELIANCE NATIONAL INDEMNITY COMPANY, in liquidation

The Appeals Board granted removal and rescinded the WCJ's order taking the case off calendar, holding that the applicant is entitled to an expedited hearing regarding the denial of Lyrica prescription refills. The WCJ erred by prematurely determining that utilization review (UR) was timely and jurisdictionally barred further proceedings, without allowing evidence and a hearing. The Board emphasized that the applicant has a right to an expedited hearing to contest UR decisions, challenge their applicability, or present evidence of changed circumstances. The case was returned to the trial level for an expedited hearing and a new decision based on the record.

Utilization ReviewIndependent Medical ReviewPetition for RemovalExpedited HearingOrder Taking Case Off CalendarPrescription MedicationLyricaDue ProcessLabor Code Section 5310Dubon II
References
10
Case No. ADJ12511409
Regular
Jun 18, 2025

JOSE LOPEZ FRANCO vs. JDMC MEDINA CONSTRUCTION, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

Applicant Jose Lopez Franco sought reconsideration of a WCJ's decision finding that his Request for Authorization (RFA) did not qualify for expedited review and was timely decided, thus precluding WCAB jurisdiction over a medical treatment dispute. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, finding that the evaluation of whether an RFA requires expedited review is an inherently medical determination and must be made by a medical professional within the 72-hour expedited review timeframe. As defendant's Utilization Review provider failed to do so, the Board concluded that the UR decision was untimely, vesting the WCAB with jurisdiction. The matter was rescinded and returned to the trial level for a determination of medical necessity.

Request for AuthorizationExpedited ReviewUtilization ReviewTimelinessMedical NecessityImminent ThreatAdministrative Director RuleLabor CodeWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardFindings of Fact
References
10
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Matter of Maffei v. Russin Lumber Corp.

The claimant, a lumber company manager, filed a workers' compensation claim established for occupational asthma and consequential atrial fibrillation. The case was expedited for permanency hearings. The employer and its workers' compensation carrier had video surveillance but failed to bring it to a scheduled expedited hearing, requesting a continuance after the claimant testified. The Workers’ Compensation Law Judge (WCLJ) denied the adjournment request, finding no emergency and classifying the claimant with a permanent total disability. The Workers' Compensation Board, on full Board review, upheld the WCLJ's decision, concluding that no emergency existed to justify a continuance for the carrier to produce the video. The Appellate Division affirmed the Board's decision, stating that the carrier was afforded due process and waived arguments regarding misrepresentation and the propriety of the expedited calendar transfer.

Video SurveillanceExpedited HearingAdjournment DenialDue ProcessPermanent Total DisabilityWorkers' Compensation BoardAppellate ReviewEvidentiary RulesEmergency ExceptionWaiver of Issues
References
6
Case No. ADJ2798585 (MON 0241152) ADJ2723676 (MON 0241153)
Regular
Sep 21, 2011

MAXINE WIGGS vs. ALLIED SIGNAL AEROSPACE, ST. PAUL TRAVELERS INSURANCE

This case involves a Petition for Removal filed by the defendant challenging the setting of a status conference based on an allegedly improper Declaration of Readiness to Proceed to Expedited Hearing. The defendant argued the expedited hearing was requested for unauthorized surgery, which was a violation of policy. However, the defendant later conceded the surgical consult had been authorized, rendering their petition moot. The Appeals Board dismissed the petition as moot and also noted an unacceptable delay in scanning case documents into EAMS.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for RemovalDeclaration of Readiness to Proceed to Expedited HearingPresiding Workers' Compensation Administrative Law JudgeStatus ConferenceExpedited HearingMedical TreatmentSurgical ConsultMoot PetitionEAMS
References
1
Case No. ADJ9157742
Regular
Oct 23, 2015

ALBERT JEMES vs. GENERAL SECURITIES SERVICES, INC., TRAVELERS PROPERTY CASUALTY COMPANY OF AMERICA

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted the defendant's petition for removal, rescinding the WCJ's order for trial briefs and submission. The WCJ improperly denied the defendant's right to present exhibits and witness testimony at an expedited hearing on the Medical Provider Network (MPN) issue. This denial constituted a violation of due process and fair hearing rights, causing significant prejudice. The case is returned to the WCJ for further proceedings and a new expedited hearing where evidence can be presented.

References
0
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