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

Case No. ADJ2767223 (SFO 404890) ADJ3039110 (SFO 435980) ADJ2891334 (OAK 300591)
Regular
Oct 03, 2014

DIEDRE THORNTON CLARK vs. PACIFIC BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY

This case concerns an applicant with multiple cumulative industrial injuries, including gastroesophageal reflux disease and sleep disorder, resulting in a WCJ finding of 100% permanent disability. The Board rescinded this decision, finding that the WCJ failed to address apportionment of permanent disability to prior stipulated awards and a subsequent cumulative injury. The case is remanded for further development of the record to properly apportion permanent disability between the applicant's prior injuries and the 2003 cumulative injury.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPacific Bell Telephone CompanyDeirdre Thornton ClarkJoint Findings And OrdersAdministrative Law JudgeIndustrial InjuryCumulative PeriodGastroesophageal Reflux DiseaseSleep DisorderPermanent Disability
References
Case No. ADJ9184413
Regular
Oct 27, 2020

JEFFREY SPRINGER vs. RJ DONOVAN CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case involves a workers' compensation claim by Jeffrey Springer against RJ Donovan Correctional Facility. The Applicant sustained injuries resulting in industrially caused hypertension, hypertensive kidney disease, and hypertensive heart disease. The primary dispute centered on how to combine a prior 28% permanent disability rating for kidney disease with a new 49% rating for heart disease. The defendant argued these were part of a single cardiovascular system and sought to subtract the prior award's monetary value from the new rating. The WCJ found the injuries to the kidney and heart were distinct, justifying combining them, and awarded 63% permanent disability after deducting the prior award's value. The Appeals Board denied the defendant's petition for reconsideration, adopting the WCJ's reasoning.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardRJ Donovan Correctional FacilityLegally UninsuredState Compensation Insurance FundPetition for ReconsiderationPermanent DisabilityHypertensionHypertensive Kidney DiseaseHypertensive Heart DiseaseHypertensive Cardiovascular Disease
References
Case No. ADJ117564
Regular
Oct 05, 2012

Catrina Williams vs. Diversified Photo\/Supply, CIGA by its Servicing Facility CAMBRIDGE INTEGRATED, on behalf of FREMONT INSURANCE, in liquidation

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed the WCJ's finding of industrial injury to the applicant's neck and bilateral upper extremities, resulting in 55.75% permanent disability. Applicant's contentions regarding apportionment of neck disability to non-industrial causes, injury to shoulders, internal systems, and psychiatric injury were largely rejected based on lack of substantial medical evidence and credibility issues. The case was remanded for further proceedings solely to address a lien claim for attorney fees filed by the applicant's prior attorney, George Slotnick.

CIGAFremont Insuranceliquidiationreconsiderationcumulative traumabilateral upper extremitiesneck injuryapportionmentnon-industrial causesAgreed Medical Examiner
References
Case No. ADJ2855195 (VNO 0550470) ADJ965274 (VNO 0550466)
Regular
May 30, 2012

MARCELO RUEDA vs. ALL LABOR TIRES, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board is issuing a Notice of Intention to impose sanctions on the defendant, State Compensation Insurance Fund, and its attorney. This action stems from the defendant's petition for reconsideration, which improperly cited a medical report not entered into evidence. Such a tactic is considered frivolous and a violation of the Board's Rules of Practice and Procedure. The Board intends to impose a $500 sanction jointly and severally unless good cause is shown to the contrary within fifteen days.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardSanctionLabor Code Section 5813Frivolous ConductReconsiderationAgreed Medical ExaminersAMA GuidesWCJPermanent DisabilityIndustrial Injury
References
Case No. ADJ10256108, ADJ10255968, ADJ10256212, ADJ10256223, ADJ10489875
Regular
Sep 23, 2022

JOSEPH RYAN vs. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Appeals Board affirmed the finding of permanent and total disability for the applicant, Joseph Ryan, stemming from industrial injuries sustained while employed as a correctional captain. However, the Board remanded the matter for further proceedings to specifically address apportionment of the permanent disability under Labor Code section 4663, considering the Agreed Medical Evaluator's opinion on pre-existing spinal disease. The Board found that the applicant's specific and cumulative trauma injuries to his spine resulted in intertwined disabilities, justifying a combined award, but that Dr. Hasday's apportionment findings require further development and determination at the trial level.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardJoseph RyanCalifornia Department of CorrectionsLegally UninsuredState Compensation Insurance FundADJ10256108ADJ10255968ADJ10256212ADJ10256223ADJ10489875
References
Case No. ADJ8906863
Regular
Feb 17, 2023

YURI MARKEVITCH vs. HITACID GLOBAL STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, TOKIO MARINE and FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY LTD, BROADSPIRE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration of a Legionnaires' disease claim. The applicant contracted the disease during a business trip abroad, which was deemed to have arisen out of and in the course of employment. The Board found the applicant was exposed to a special risk due to travel, distinguishing this case from prior precedents involving non-infectious diseases. Therefore, the Board upheld the compensability of the applicant's injury.

AOE/COELaTourette v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.course of employmentarise out of employmentcommercial traveler ruleinfectious diseasespecial exposurerisk of communitymedical expert opinionLegionella Pneumonia
References
Case No. ADJ1036120 (SDO 0330367)
Regular
Jul 08, 2013

JESSE SUMABAT vs. CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL

This case concerns whether the applicant's valley fever is an "insidious, progressive disease" for which jurisdiction over permanent disability can be reserved. The WCAB granted reconsideration, rescinded the initial award, and returned the matter to the trial level. This is because the medical evidence regarding the progressive nature of the applicant's condition was contradictory and required further development. The Board emphasized that the determination of a progressive disease must be supported by substantial medical evidence stating medical probability.

Valley FeverCoccidioidomycosisProgressive DiseaseInsidious DiseasePermanent DisabilityJurisdiction ReservationJackson DoctrineGeneral Foundry ServiceRuffin CaseMedical Probability
References
Case No. ADJ6836868
Regular
Feb 03, 2012

STEPHEN SEAVELLO vs. COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO

This case concerns a deputy sheriff diagnosed with skin cancer, with a presumption that it arose from his employment. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board reversed the administrative law judge's finding that the skin cancer was an "insidious disease process" and the subsequent reservation of jurisdiction over permanent disability. The Board determined that the applicant's condition was found to be permanent and stationary, and not a progressive insidious disease, thus precluding jurisdiction beyond the statutory five-year limit for amendments. Consequently, the original award of 4% permanent disability and need for future medical treatment was reinstated, but without the reservation of jurisdiction.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardStephen SeavelloCounty of San DiegoSkin CancerDeputy SheriffPermanent DisabilityFuture Medical TreatmentInsidious Disease ProcessReservation of JurisdictionLabor Code Section 5804
References
Case No. ADJ6854571
Regular
Oct 08, 2018

TED HIRSCHBERGER vs. STOCKWELL HARRIS WOOLVERTON AND MUEHL, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

Here's a summary of the case for a lawyer, in max four sentences: The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, overturning the WCJ's apportionment of permanent disability. The Board found that the applicant's industrial psyche injury aggravated Parkinson's disease, causing brain injury and permanent mental incapacity. This condition conclusively presumes total permanent disability under Labor Code section 4662(a)(4), precluding apportionment. Therefore, the applicant is found totally permanently disabled without apportionment.

WCABPetition for ReconsiderationFindings And AwardIndustrial InjuryPsycheParkinson's DiseasePermanent DisabilityApportionmentLabor Code Section 4662(a)(4)Conclusive Presumption
References
Case No. ADJ388201
Regular
Nov 12, 2010

RONALD WECHSLER vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION, legally uninsured and adjusted by STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

Defendant sought reconsideration of a prior WCAB decision that allowed applicant to reopen his case for increased permanent disability due to industrial hypertensive disease and resulting end-organ damage. Defendant argued that end-organ damage occurring outside the five-year limit from the date of injury barred recovery for new and further disability. The WCAB denied reconsideration, reaffirming that the parties' stipulation of injury to the cardiovascular system, including "hypertension and end organ damage," was binding and encompassed the current claim. The case is returned to the WCJ for determination of the extent of the applicant's increased permanent disability.

Petition to ReopenNew and Further DisabilityReconsideration DeniedPermanent DisabilityHypertensive DiseaseCardiovascular DiseaseEnd Organ DamageStipulated AwardDate of InjuryWCJ Decision
References
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