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. 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. ADJ1245384 (VNO 0361404)
Regular
Jul 27, 2009

Lenard E. Taylor vs. WELLPOINT HEALTH NETWORKS, INC., CIGA

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) affirmed a finding that Lenard Taylor sustained a cumulative trauma injury to multiple conditions, including psychological impairment, resulting in 100% permanent disability. While the WCAB agreed with the original judge's findings regarding the injury and benefits, it rescinded a $2,500 sanction imposed on the defendant. The Board determined that the sanction under Labor Code §5813 was improperly applied to penalize delays in benefit payments, as that section is intended to address litigation abuses, not payment delays.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationCumulative Trauma InjuryAggravation of DiabetesAggravation of HypertensionAggravation of Cardiovascular DiseaseAggravation of GERDAggravation of EyesPsychological ImpairmentMajor Depressive Episode
References
Case No. ADJ8457042
Regular
Nov 04, 2014

ALICE JEFFRES vs. ARROYO GRANDE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

This case involves a dispute over the extent of an industrial injury sustained by an applicant. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) affirmed the administrative law judge's finding that the applicant suffered industrial injuries to her shoulders, cervical spine, right knee, thoracic spine, upper extremities, and hands. However, the WCAB granted reconsideration to clarify that while the industrial incident temporarily aggravated the applicant's pre-existing fibromyalgia, it did not necessitate ongoing industrial medical treatment for that condition. The WCAB found the opinions of treating physicians to constitute substantial evidence, outweighing defendant's reliance on a panel QME.

Fibromyalgia aggravationQualified Medical EvaluatorTreating PhysiciansSubstantial Medical EvidenceApportionmentPermanent DisabilityIndustrial InjuryWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardReport and RecommendationPetition for Reconsideration
References
Case No. VNO 0386181
Regular
Apr 05, 2007

SUSAN PASCALE vs. BLUE CROSS/WELLPOINT DENTAL, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION on behalf of FREMONT INDEMNITY

This case concerns applicant Susan Pascale's claim for workers' compensation benefits due to industrial injuries resulting in fibromyalgia and other conditions. The WCJ awarded 80% permanent disability, apportioning 20% to applicant's pre-existing personality traits based on medical opinions. The Appeals Board affirmed this decision, finding the apportionment was supported by substantial medical evidence of causation, as allowed by recent statutory changes.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardSusan PascaleBlue Cross/Wellpoint DentalCalifornia Insurance Guarantee AssociationFremont IndemnityVNO 0386181Opinion and Decision After ReconsiderationApplicantDefendantWCJ
References
Case No. ADJ2073428 (VNO 0465400) ADJ1610465 (VNO 0540972) ADJ3247765 (VNO 00384869)
Regular
Apr 04, 2011

JAY ZAVERI vs. STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND; Legally Uninsured

The applicant sought reconsideration of a workers' compensation award, arguing for a 100% permanent disability rating and challenging the permanent disability start date used for attorney fee commutation. The Appeals Board denied the petition, finding insufficient evidence to establish total permanent disability, as the applicant was currently employed and medical opinions did not definitively support such a rating. The Board also ruled that the applicant waived arguments regarding the rating of specific injuries by failing to properly object, and that even if considered, separate ratings for back, knee, and plantar fasciitis conditions would not result in a higher award due to fibromyalgia being the primary cause and rating higher. Finally, the Board clarified that the July 2, 2000 date was only relevant to the attorney fee commutation calculation and not to the determination of permanent disability indemnity payments.

WCABPetition for ReconsiderationJoint Findings and AwardWorkers' Compensation Judge (WCJ)Industrial InjuryBack InjuryHip InjuryBilateral Knee InjuryBilateral Foot InjuryBilateral Plantar Fasciitis
References
Case No. ADJ4145263 (VEN 0120366) ADJ2903274 (OXN 0124883)
Regular
Jul 16, 2012

SHARON ANGELL vs. MARYMOUNT ACADEMY, INC., CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION (CIGA) by its servicing agent SEDGWICK CMS, for FREMONT INDEMNITY in liquidation

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and rescinded the original decision, remanding the case for further proceedings. The primary issue is whether applicant's fibromyalgia should be rated separately from her orthopedic injuries. The Board found no clear evidence in the record supporting the WCJ's conclusion that fibromyalgia was solely a consequence of the orthopedic conditions. On remand, the WCJ must determine the causation of the fibromyalgia and whether it warrants separate rating. The Board deferred ruling on other issues raised by the parties.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCIGAFremont Indemnityliquidationreconsiderationfibromyalgiaorthopedic injuryapportionmentvocational evidencetemporary disability
References
Case No. ADJ824062 (VNO 0395359) ADJ1729914 (VNO 0452072) ADJ385264 (VNO 0548716) ADJ4506449 (VNO 0548713)
Regular
May 11, 2016

SHARON SPRAGUE vs. BEVERLY FABRICS, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, BROADSPIRE, SUPERIOR NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY, MIKASA, SOMPO JAPAN INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA

This case involves multiple injury claims for Sharon Sprague against Beverly Fabrics and Mikasa, primarily concerning back, hip, and fibromyalgia injuries. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration to address disputes over permanent disability ratings and apportionment of injuries. The WCAB rescinded prior findings, finding insufficient evidence for permanent total disability and the exact causation of fibromyalgia. The matter is remanded for further proceedings to develop the record on fibromyalgia causation, permanent disability, and apportionment.

CIGASompo JapanReconsiderationJoint Findings Award OrdersPermanent DisabilityApportionmentFibromyalgiaScapula/Rhomboid StrainBilateral KneesAgreed Medical Evaluator
References
Case No. ADJ3316075 (VNO 0426272)
Regular
May 20, 2011

CHRISTINE COLFER AUCHTERLONIE vs. RALPHS GROCERY COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration to address an applicant's 100% permanent disability award for cumulative trauma, including fibromyalgia. The defendant, Ralphs Grocery Company, argued for apportionment to a prior 44% permanent disability award, citing Dr. Silverman's conflicting medical reports on apportionment for fibromyalgia. The Board found Dr. Silverman's reasoning on apportionment unclear and contradictory between his 2000 and 2010 reports. Therefore, the case was returned to the trial level for further clarification on Dr. Silverman's apportionment opinions regarding the fibromyalgia disability.

ApportionmentCumulative TraumaFibromyalgiaPermanent DisabilityReconsiderationAgreed Medical ExaminerWCJLabor Code section 4664Labor Code section 4663Findings and Award
References
Case No. ADJ4579042
Regular
Aug 02, 2010

MARY LOPEZ vs. GRANADA HILLS COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, SAFETY NATIONAL CASUALTY COMPANY

Here's a summary of the case in four sentences for a lawyer: The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration to further study the medical evidence regarding applicant Mary Lopez's claims of psyche injury and fibromyalgia stemming from an admitted neck and back injury. Defendants contended the WCJ relied on insufficient medical evidence, specifically Dr. Levine's fibromyalgia diagnosis due to an inadequate medical history and a psychiatric report where the applicant withheld suicidal ideation from the evaluating physician. The Board found the existing medical record inadequate to establish fibromyalgia or psychiatric injury and rescinded the prior findings. The matter was returned to the trial level for further development of the medical record, potentially through Agreed Medical Examiners or an Independent Medical Examiner.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationFibromyalgiaPsyche InjuryQualified Medical EvaluatorSubstantial Medical EvidenceMedical HistoryDue ProcessIndustrial InjuryNeck Injury
References
Case No. ADJ671568 (VNO 0519723)
Regular
Jun 05, 2009

KAREN REFF vs. UNION OF AMERICAN HEBREW CONGREGATION, MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE COMPANY, GALLAGHER BASSETT

This case involves an applicant claiming her industrial pneumonia aggravated a pre-existing common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), necessitating ongoing immunoglobulin treatment. The defendant disputes that the pneumonia aggravated the CVID or that the treatment is causally related to the industrial injury. The Agreed Medical Evaluator could not definitively opine on CVID aggravation without reviewing later medical records. Consequently, the Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the prior award, and returned the case for further medical development and a new decision.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationFindings and AwardIndustrial InjuryPneumoniaCommon Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID)Immunoglobulin Replacement TreatmentsAggravationAgreed Medical Evaluator (AME)Further Development of Record
References
Showing 1-10 of 219 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