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

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 The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr.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. ADJ9320206
Regular
May 08, 2014

MIKE VILLALOBOS vs. WESTERN VILLAGE HEALTH CLUB, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case involves applicant Mike Villalobos seeking removal of a decision denying his request to change venue from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara. The WCAB denied removal, holding that Santa Barbara only has a satellite office of the Oxnard District Office, not a formal WCAB district office. The Board deferred to the DWC's administrative construction that only district offices count for venue purposes, citing practical differences in staffing and facilities. Therefore, the original venue in San Luis Obispo was upheld.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for RemovalChange of VenueDistrict OfficeSatellite OfficeAdministrative ConstructionLabor Code Section 5501.5Goleta District OfficeOxnard District OfficeSanta Barbara Satellite Office
References
Case No. ADJ8534435
Regular
Jan 11, 2013

RONALD EHMAN vs. AMERICAN CIVIL CONSTRUCTORS, OLD REPUBLIC INSURANCE CORPORATION

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board dismissed the defendant's Petition for Reconsideration because venue orders are not considered final. The Board also denied the defendant's Petition for Removal, finding the WCJ properly transferred venue to the Oakland District Office. This decision was based on the applicant's residence in Solano County and the injury occurring in Contra Costa County, neither of which have district offices, and Oakland being the nearest office to the injury site. The defendant failed to demonstrate irreparable harm would result from the venue change.

VenueReconsiderationRemovalLabor Code section 5501.5District OfficeApplicant ResidenceInjury LocationContra Costa CountySolano CountyOakland District Office
References
Case No. FRE 0193970
Regular
Aug 07, 2007

STEVEN L. SMITH vs. IMC CHEMICAL, INC.

The Court of Appeal remanded this case for the Appeals Board to award attorney's fees for responding to the defendant's petition for writ of review. The applicant's attorney requested $15,600 for 52 hours of work, citing extensive research and numerous case citations. The Appeals Board awarded $3,750, finding the requested amount excessive and deeming 15 hours at $250/hour reasonable for the slightly above-average complexity of the appellate issues.

WCABLabor Code § 5801Petition for Writ of ReviewAttorney's FeesFifth Appellate DistrictRemandSupplemental AwardPetition for ReconsiderationSubstantial EvidenceNovel Issue
References
Case No. ADJ9770975
Regular
Mar 13, 2020

GUSTAVO RUBALCAVA, vs. AMERJIT GILL AND COAST XPRESS AKA COAST EXPRESS, INC.,

This case concerns an award of additional attorney's fees to the applicant's attorney following a successful defense against the defendant's petition for writ of review. The Court of Appeal had remanded the matter for such an award. The Appeals Board awarded $20,500.00 in attorney's fees and $712.69 in costs, reducing the requested amounts due to duplicative entries and internal copying charges. The award is for services rendered in opposing the writ of review, considering the complexity of the issues and the quality of the appellate work.

Labor Code § 5801supplemental awardattorney's feeswrit of reviewFifth District Court of Appealverified petitionhourly rateappellate workreasonable feescomplexity of issues
References
Case No. ADJ1407862 ADJ8053285
Regular
Jan 29, 2014

RAYMOND SCHAUER vs. WINDSOR UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, REDWOOD EMPIRE SCHOOL INSURANCE GROUP

In this workers' compensation case, venue is transferred from the Santa Rosa to the San Francisco District Office. This change is necessary because the assigned judge must recuse himself and the alternative judge has been disqualified. The San Francisco Presiding Judge will assign a new judge and schedule a lien conference. This order facilitates the continued proceedings for Applicant Raymond Schauer against Windsor Unified School District.

Venue changeRecusalJudge challengeAppeals Board Rule 10453Santa Rosa District OfficeSan Francisco District OfficePresiding JudgeLien conferencePermissibly Self-InsuredWindsor Unified School District
References
Case No. ADJ4671941 (STK 0169283)
Regular
Jul 24, 2013

GEORGE VIVEIROS vs. TURLOCK CITY TOW SERVICE, WESTPORT INSURANCE CORPORATION

Following remand from the Fifth District Court of Appeal, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) awarded additional attorney's fees to the applicant's attorney. The WCAB found the requested hourly rate of $400.00 reasonable, considering the attorney's specialization and experience. However, travel time was disallowed, and the final award was reduced to $2,800.00 for 7 hours of appellate work on a moderately complex legal issue.

Workers' Compensation Appeals Boardattorney's feesPetition for Writ of Reviewsupplemental awardappellate workLabor Code § 5801certified specialistreasonable hourly ratetravel timespinal surgery
References
Case No. ADJ9908969
Regular
Aug 28, 2015

MICHAEL MCGRATH vs. OAKLAND UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, HAZELRIGG CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICE

This case involves a dispute over venue for a workers' compensation claim. The employer, Oakland Unified School District, sought to transfer the case from Oxnard to Oakland, arguing the applicant resides and was injured in Oakland's jurisdiction, despite the application initially being filed in Oxnard based on the applicant's attorney's principal place of business. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted removal, rescinding the judge's denial of the venue change. The WCAB found the judge applied the wrong legal standard and that the employer's objection to venue, made pursuant to Labor Code section 5501.5(c), mandated a transfer to Oakland.

Petition for RemovalOrder Denying Change of VenueWCJsubstantial prejudiceirreparable harmreconsiderationWCAB District OfficeOakland WCAB District OfficeOxnard WCAB District Officevenue transfer
References
Case No. ADJ7688900
Regular
Feb 25, 2016

HARLETHE MORA vs. FIFTH & PACIFIC COMPANIES, HARTFORD CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY

In *Mora v. Fifth & Pacific Companies*, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted the defendant's petition for reconsideration. This action was taken to allow the Board further time to thoroughly review the factual and legal issues presented in the case. The WCAB will conduct further proceedings as deemed necessary to reach a just and reasoned decision. All subsequent filings related to this petition must be submitted directly to the WCAB's Commissioners in San Francisco, not the district office.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationGrant of ReconsiderationFifth & Pacific CompaniesLiz ClaiborneLucky Brand JeansHartford Casualty Insurance CompanyBradsireADJ7688900Los Angeles District Office
References
Case No. ADJ7479879
Regular
Feb 21, 2014

Gregory Foster vs. Toronto Raptors, Chubb Group Insurance (Federal Insurance Company), Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, TIG Insurance Company

This case involves a remand from the Court of Appeal for the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) to award additional attorney fees to the applicant's attorneys. The Court of Appeal's order, which has become final, was based on services rendered in connection with the defendant's petition for a writ of review. The WCAB determined that $3,500.00 is a reasonable fee, considering the attorney's efforts, the appellate outcome, and the complexity of the work. Consequently, the Board awarded this amount for appellate attorney fees against the defendant Toronto Raptors, insured by Federal Insurance Company.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardLabor Code § 5801Petition for Writ of Reviewappellate attorney's feessupplemental awardremandCourt of AppealFourth Appellate DistrictDivision 3Employers Mutual Liability Insurance Company v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd. (Rodriguez)
References
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