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

Case No. ADJ7673518, ADJ7647749
Regular
Jan 23, 2015

ANA DE AYALA vs. AO-THE UNIVERSITY CORPORATION / CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY NORTHRIDGE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and reversed a prior ruling, finding the applicant sustained industrial injury to her neck. While the applicant testified to injuring her neck in a workplace incident and this was partially corroborated, the Board found insufficient evidence for other claimed injuries. The Board specifically disagreed with the administrative law judge's credibility assessment concerning the neck injury itself, relying on medical reports and testimony supporting the neck injury claim. The Board affirmed the denial of claims for all other alleged injuries, finding insufficient medical evidence to link them to the incident.

Petition for ReconsiderationFindings and OrderIndustrial InjuryNeck InjuryBack InjurySpine InjuryUpper ExtremitiesPsycheGastroesophageal SystemInternal System
References
Case No. ADJ8026817
Regular
Apr 22, 2013

MARIA OCHOA vs. RANGERS DIE CASTING COMPANY, COMPWEST INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration of a decision finding the applicant sustained injury to her respiratory system and psyche AOE/COE. The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr. Lipper and Dr. Curtis lacked substantiality. Specifically, the physicians failed to provide clear diagnoses, quantify exposures, or adequately explain causation. The Board noted contradictory testimony from the applicant's supervisor and insufficient evidence to support the initial findings.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardMaria OchoaRangers Die Casting CompanyCOMPWEST INSURANCE COMPANYADJ8026817Los Angeles District OfficeOpinion and Order Granting ReconsiderationDecision After ReconsiderationFindings of FactWorkers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge (WCJ)
References
Case No. RDG 0095368; RDG 0095369; RDG 0095573; RDG 0126270
Regular
Sep 25, 2007

HENRY PHILLIPE vs. GOTTSCHALKS, LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE

The Appeals Board granted reconsideration to allow reimbursement for the applicant's vocational expert fees, reversing the WCJ's decision. The Board found it reasonable for the applicant to hire his own vocational expert to rebut the defendant's expert, especially given the passage of time since the original vocational feasibility report. Consequently, the defendant was ordered to reimburse the applicant's attorney for the $1,075.00 vocational expert cost.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationExpert Witness FeesVocational ExpertLabor Code Section 5811Qualified Rehabilitation Representative (QRR)LeBoeuf argumentAgreed Medical Examination (AME)Permanent DisabilityIndustrial Injury
References
Case No. ADJ8700541
Regular
Oct 17, 2019

ZAHRA STEPHENS vs. COX ENTERPRISES, INC.

The Appeals Board granted reconsideration to review the WCJ's finding of permanent and total disability based on the opinions of a psychologist, Dr. Windman, and a vocational expert, Mr. Wilkinson. The Board found that Dr. Windman's opinion lacked substantial evidence due to inconsistencies, inadequate record review, and conflicts with other medical opinions. Consequently, Mr. Wilkinson's vocational opinion, which relied heavily on Dr. Windman's findings, was also deemed not substantial evidence. The case is remanded to the trial level for further proceedings and a new determination of permanent disability.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationPermanent Total DisabilityMedical OpinionVocational ExpertSubstantial EvidencePQMENeurologistPsychologistOrthopedist
References
Case No. ADJ3090848
Regular
Jan 27, 2010

BOB CROUSE vs. ALADDIN'S ELECTRIC COMPANY, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Board granted reconsideration of the WCJ's award, which found applicant 100% permanently disabled following an industrial injury. Defendant argued against the 100% disability finding, citing insufficient medical evidence and procedural errors. While affirming the 100% disability finding as supported by substantial evidence, the Board amended the award to explicitly state applicant failed to prove industrial injury to his heart or for diabetes. The Board also clarified that a prior petition for reconsideration by the defendant was already addressed and granted in 2007.

Petition for ReconsiderationFindings and Awardshop supervisorindustrial injuryleft shoulderleft clavicleright elbowright handheadneck
References
Case No. ADJ865311 (LAO 0880913)
Regular
Sep 19, 2016

MARIA AGUILERA vs. COLLINS CHIROPRACTIC GROUP, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Board denied the applicant's petition for reconsideration, affirming its prior decision to reduce her permanent disability from $100\%$ to $88\%$ after apportionment. The Board found the applicant's vocational expert's opinions unsubstantial and contrary to the well-reasoned opinions of the Agreed Medical Evaluators (AMEs). Specifically, the Board rejected Dr. Bluestone's opinion due to a failure to account for duplication in impairment factors between rheumatologic and psychiatric conditions. While one Commissioner dissented, believing the applicant to be $100\%$ permanently disabled based on Dr. Bluestone's findings and other evidence, the majority upheld the apportionment.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardOpinion and Order Denying Petition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardPermanent Total DisabilityApportionmentAgreed Medical Evaluators (AMEs)Dr. BluestoneDr. FreemanDr. MajcherDr. Fedder
References
Case No. ADJ2701474 (SAC 0322519)
Regular
Mar 13, 2009

JAMES POLSON vs. CONTINENTAL TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS as trustee for the SUBSEQUENT BENEFITS TRUST FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the prior decision, and returned the case for further proceedings. The WCAB found the applicant's vocational expert's opinion that the applicant is permanently and totally disabled due to pre-existing cognitive issues and the industrial injury constitutes substantial evidence. This opinion was deemed to meet the SIBTF threshold of 70% combined permanent disability. The WCAB instructed the trial judge to recalculate SIBTF benefits based on this finding.

Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust FundVocational rehabilitation expertPermanent total disabilityMultiple Disabilities TableAgreed Medical EvaluatorPre-existing disabilityLabor marketVocational expert opinionIndustrial injuryWorkers' compensation administrative law judge
References
Case No. ADJ869605
Regular
Nov 19, 2012

MILES GRAY vs. AT&T, permissibly self-insured, administered by SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

This case involves an applicant who sustained a severe right lower extremity injury, leading to multiple surgeries, significant leg length discrepancy, and fused ankle/foot, requiring constant mobility aids. The Agreed Medical Evaluator (AME) provided opinions on impairment, and vocational experts testified regarding the applicant's ability to return to work. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration of the prior award, finding substantial evidence supporting the applicant's unsuitability for rehabilitation. Defendant's supplemental reply did not alter this decision.

Agreed Medical EvaluatorVocational ExpertPetition for ReconsiderationDeniedRight Lower Extremity InjuryMultiple FracturesLeg Length DiscrepancyShoe LiftAnkle FusionGait Derangement
References
Case No. GOL 96757
Regular
Jun 10, 2008

SA YANG LO vs. CUSTOM SENSORS & TECHNOLOGIES, INC., STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration of a prior award, upholding the application of the 2005 Permanent Disability Rating Schedule. The Board found that exceptions allowing for the 1997 Schedule did not apply, as the applicant's temporary disability indemnity extended beyond January 1, 2005, and no qualifying pre-2005 reports indicated permanent disability. Furthermore, the Board found the applicant's vocational expert's opinion regarding diminished future earning capacity unpersuasive, thus affirming the initial 9% permanent disability rating.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardSA Yang LoCustom Sensors & TechnologiesInc.State Compensation Insurance FundGOL 96757Opinion and Order Denying ReconsiderationFindings and AwardWorkers' Compensation Administrative Law JudgeWCJ
References
Case No. ADJ2186466
Regular
Jun 26, 2017

AMADO URIAS vs. VALLEY COUNTY WATER DISTRICT

This case involves Amado Urias's petition for reconsideration of a Supplemental Findings and Award that determined his permanent disability at 54% after apportionment. Urias argued that his vocational expert's opinion on diminished earning capacity should have been prioritized over the medical opinions regarding his physical and psychiatric limitations. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the petition, affirming the administrative law judge's decision. The Board found that the issue of psychiatric apportionment was previously adjudicated and that the vocational expert's opinion was not substantial evidence due to its reliance on subjective complaints over objective medical findings.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardSupplemental Findings and AwardPermanent DisabilityApportionmentVocational ExpertDr. Albert SimpkinsDr. StewartDr. WixenDr. AhmedCumulative Injury
References
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