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Case Law Database

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

Case No. ADJ6445214, ADJ7300126, ADJ4142400 (SRO 0141131), ADJ1321514 (SRO 0141130)
Regular
Aug 03, 2016

BONNIE MCLAUGHLIN vs. SUBSEQUENT INJURIES BENEFITS TRUST FUND, ALBERTSON'S/SAVE MART

This case involves Bonnie McLaughlin's claim for Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) benefits stemming from multiple industrial injuries to her neck, back, extremities, and psyche. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) overturned a prior decision denying these benefits. The WCAB found that McLaughlin met the criteria for SIBTF eligibility under Labor Code section 4751, as her cumulative injury through May 3, 2007, resulted in additional permanent disability that, when combined with prior injuries, caused a disability greater than that from the subsequent injury alone. Therefore, SIBTF benefits are awarded.

Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust FundSIBTFpermanent disabilitycumulative traumaspecific injuryapportionmentvocational expertAgreed Medical EvaluatorQualified Medical Evaluatorcompensable injury
References
4
Case No. ADJ2562434 (OAK 0287611) ADJ1551889 (OAK 0306392)
Regular
Dec 10, 2012

JOHN HENDERSON vs. AIRE SHEET METAL, SUBSEQUENT INJURIES BENEFITS TRUST FUND

This case concerns an applicant seeking benefits from the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIF) after sustaining two upper extremity injuries. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) reconsidered the original award, finding that the applicant was not "permanently partially disabled" by the first injury prior to the second injury. Therefore, the WCAB determined that the SIF was not liable for benefits, as the applicant did not meet the threshold requirement for SIF eligibility under Labor Code section 4751 and relevant case law. The WCAB also amended the applicant's permanent disability to 89%, aligning with a prior stipulation.

Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fundpermanent total disabilitypermanent partial disabilitylabor disablinghealing periodpermanent and stationarycumulative traumacontralateral upper extremitiesFerguson v. Industrial Accidents Commissionlabor market
References
4
Case No. ADJ602790 (STK 0179563)
Regular
Jul 17, 2012

TRACEE MAWYER vs. GALLO GLASS COMPANY

This case involves Tracee Mawyer's workers' compensation claim against Gallo Glass Company for cumulative trauma injuries. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, reversing the trial judge's denial of injury to applicant's bilateral upper extremities, specifically carpal tunnel syndrome. The Board found Dr. Clayman's reports sufficiently supported an industrial injury to the upper extremities and awarded additional temporary disability for the period following carpal tunnel surgery. The case was returned for a new permanent disability rating for the upper extremity injuries.

Cumulative traumabilateral upper extremitiescarpal tunnel release surgerytemporary disabilitypermanent disability ratingreconsiderationDr. Claymanneck injuryshoulder injuryspine injury
References
0
Case No. ADJ10065069
Regular
May 16, 2018

MARCIA FARRAR vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE APPEALS BOARD, legally uninsured, administered by STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case concerns defendant's petition for reconsideration of a Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) finding of injury arising out of and occurring in the course of employment (AOE/COE) to the applicant's right upper extremity. Defendant argued that no evidence supported injury to other alleged body parts and that the WCJ should have made findings on those parts instead of deferring the issue. The WCAB denied reconsideration, affirming the WCJ's decision to limit the trial to the threshold issue of right upper extremity injury AOE/COE. The WCAB found Dr. Amster's opinion constituted substantial evidence for the right upper extremity injury and that the WCJ acted within their authority by deferring other issues.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardAOE/COEQualified Medical ExaminerReconsiderationCumulative TraumaRepetitive Strain InjuryPreexisting ConditionAggravationContributing CauseMandatory Settlement Conference
References
7
Case No. ADJ966838 (SJO 0266465)
Regular
Jun 18, 2012

LOLA ROBINSON vs. SHELTER NETWORK, SUBSEQUENT INJURIES FUND of the STATE OF CALIFORNIA

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed a prior award for applicant Lola Robinson against the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF). The award compensated her for a combined permanent disability of 78%, stemming from a subsequent industrial injury to her upper extremity and pre-existing conditions of hepatitis C and a hysterectomy. The Board found that medical evidence established pre-existing whole person impairments from these conditions, meeting the "labor disabling" threshold for SIBTF benefits. The Board held that the physician's ratings under the AMA Guides constituted prima facie evidence of pre-existing impairment, which the SIBTF failed to rebut.

Subsequent Injuries FundSIBTFHepatitis CHysterectomyPermanent Partial DisabilityLabor DisablingAMA GuidesWhole Person ImpairmentWCJReconsideration
References
7
Case No. ADJ8835660
Regular
Jan 19, 2018

JOE CASILLAS vs. GRAYD A PRECISION METAL FABRICATORS; STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case concerns a petition for reconsideration by the defendant regarding a permanent total disability award for Joe Casillas. The defendant argued against the total disability finding, questioned injury to the left upper extremity, and contested the basis for vocational rehabilitation findings. The Board granted reconsideration to amend the findings, rescinding the finding of injury to the left upper extremity due to the applicant unilaterally withdrawing that issue. However, the Board affirmed the permanent total disability finding based on substantial medical and vocational evidence, including the applicant's significant limitations in daily living and unsuitability for vocational rehabilitation, despite the absence of left upper extremity injury.

Permanent total disabilityvocational rehabilitationindustrial injurybilateral upper extremitiescervical spinepsychefabricatorState Compensation Insurance Fundpetition for reconsiderationadministrative law judge
References
3
Case No. ADJ7658097
Regular
Aug 14, 2017

John Cummins vs. VIP Limousines \& Coaches, Inc., Commerce and Industrial Insurance Company, Barrett Business Services, Inc.

This case involves an applicant who claimed injury to multiple body parts, including upper extremities, back, neck, abdomen (hernia), and lower extremities. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) affirmed the original findings, except they specifically ruled against injury to the applicant's upper extremities based on the Agreed Medical Examiner's opinion. The WCAB also clarified that temporary disability benefits should commence from September 14, 2010, the date of hernia repair surgery, and deferred the determination of the exact date of injury for the cumulative trauma. The court also upheld the applicant's average weekly earnings determination, finding the applicant's testimony and records credible and unrebutted.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardAgreed Medical Examiner (AME)Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME)temporary disability indemnitydate of injurycumulative traumahernia repairpulmonary embolism
References
5
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 03, 2004

Claim of Scally v. Ravena Coeymans Selkirk Central School District

In this case, a claimant appealed a Workers’ Compensation Board decision regarding apportionment of her workers' compensation award. The claimant, who suffered a work-related left knee injury in 2002, had a pre-existing non-work-related injury to the same knee from 1986. While a WCLJ initially denied apportionment, the Board reversed, directing a 50/50 apportionment based on the premise that the prior injury would have resulted in a schedule loss of use award had it been work-related. The appellate court upheld the Board's determination, deferring to its interpretation that a non-work-related injury leading to a schedule loss of use constitutes a "disability in a compensation sense" for apportionment purposes. This decision was supported by medical expert testimony indicating a schedule loss of use from the prior surgery.

Workers' CompensationApportionmentKnee InjuryNon-work-related InjurySchedule Loss of UsePreexisting ConditionMedical Expert TestimonyBoard InterpretationJudicial ReviewAppellate Decision
References
13
Case No. ADJ3203306 (LAO 0871862)
Regular
Jul 13, 2011

Vanessa Bruce vs. SOUTHWEST HEALTHCARE MEDICAL, TRAVELERS

The applicant sought reconsideration of a Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) decision that found industrial injury to the lumbar spine but denied injury to the internal systems and sleep disorder. The applicant argued the WCJ erred by ignoring a stipulation for injury to the left lower extremity, hip, and buttocks, and by rejecting evidence of an industrially-caused sleep disorder. The WCAB granted reconsideration, amended the findings to include injury to the left lower extremity, left hip, and buttocks, but otherwise affirmed the original decision, finding no industrial basis for the sleep disorder.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationFindings and AwardIndustrial InjuryLumbar SpineInternal SystemsSleep DisorderLeft Lower ExtremityLeft HipButtocks
References
2
Case No. ADJ5668010
Regular
Jan 29, 2016

RAGHBIR MAHIL vs. FOSTER FARMS

This case concerns applicant Raghbir Mahil's appeal of a WCJ's decision regarding his 2002 industrial injury. The WCJ found injury to the neck and psyche, awarding 42% permanent disability based on the AMA Guides and denying injury to the right upper extremity and headaches. Applicant argued for total permanent disability, no psychiatric apportionment, and the application of the 1997 rating schedule. The Appeals Board rescinded the WCJ's decision, returning the matter for re-rating permanent disability under the 1997 Schedule due to the timing of temporary disability payments. The Board otherwise affirmed the WCJ's findings, including no injury to the right upper extremity or headaches, and the need for neck treatment only.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardRaghbir MahilFoster FarmsOpinion Decision After ReconsiderationFindings and Awardadmitted industrial injuryneck injurypsyche injurypermanent disabilityAMA Guides
References
2
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