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

Case No. ADJ3133261 (VNO 0400017)
Regular
Aug 17, 2010

FELIPE TOLENTINO vs. CONCO CEMENT, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, XCHANGING INC., FREMONT COMPENSATION

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) dismissed the lien claimant's petition for reconsideration as premature. The WCAB granted the defendant's petition for reconsideration regarding the temporary disability overpayment issue, deferring it for further proceedings. The Board affirmed the WCJ's findings on injury causation and permanent disability but amended the decision to clarify the overpayment issue. Finally, the WCAB issued a notice of intention to sanction defendant's counsel for attaching and citing unadmitted evidence.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardFELIPE TOLENTINOCONCO CEMENTCALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATIONXCHANGING INC.FREMONT COMPENSATIONliquidationADJ3133261VNO 0400017OPINION AND ORDERS DISMISSING PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION AND GRANTING PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION
References
Case No. ADJ10184700
Regular
Nov 29, 2017

JONATHAN PARKER vs. INDY FUEL HOCKEY, GREAT DIVIDE INSURANCE COMPANY

This case involves a defendant insurance company seeking reconsideration of a WCAB decision finding jurisdiction over a professional hockey player's injury claim. The defendant argued the WCAB lacked personal jurisdiction, but the Board denied reconsideration. The defendant waived its objection to personal jurisdiction by failing to timely raise it and instead engaging in discovery and litigating subject matter jurisdiction. Subsequent actions, such as filing a Declaration of Readiness to Proceed and participating in hearings without specifying a special appearance for personal jurisdiction, constituted a general appearance. Therefore, the WCJ's original decision finding jurisdiction was affirmed.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardIndy Fuel HockeyGreat Divide Insurance CompanyADJ10184700Petition for ReconsiderationPersonal JurisdictionSubject Matter JurisdictionLabor Code 3600.5(a)Labor Code 5301Labor Code 5305
References
Case No. ADJ3609087 (LBO 0392035) ADJ1000696 (LBO 0332475)
Regular
Jul 20, 2017

Katherine Staudt vs. University of California Los Angeles, SEDGWICK CMS

This case involved the dismissal of the applicant's workers' compensation claims by the administrative law judge (WCJ) for failing to personally appear at a mandatory settlement conference. The applicant, represented by counsel who did attend, sought reconsideration, arguing that her attorney's presence satisfied the appearance requirement under Labor Code § 5700. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration, finding that while the applicant did not personally appear, her attorney's presence constituted a valid appearance. The WCAB rescinded the dismissal order, emphasizing the legal preference for hearings on the merits over dismissals.

WCABPetition for ReconsiderationOrder Dismissing CaseMandatory Settlement ConferenceApplicant's AppearanceAttorney AppearanceLabor Code Section 5700Section 5404.5Compulsory AppearanceNotice of Intent to Dismiss
References
Case No. ADJ11504432
Regular
Jan 29, 2020

OMAR AREVALO vs. RAUL FLORES dba FLORES GARDENING

The Appeals Board dismissed the applicant's petition for reconsideration as the order was not final. However, the Board granted the applicant's petition for removal, rescinding the administrative law judge's order to take the case off calendar. This decision was based on the finding that the illegally uninsured employer made a general appearance at the mandatory settlement conference, thereby allowing for the joinder of the Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund (UEBTF). The Board emphasized that a general appearance is sufficient to establish jurisdiction over the employer and join the UEBTF.

UEBTF joindergeneral appearanceillegally uninsured employerremoval petitionreconsideration petitionorder taking off calendarmandatory settlement conferencethreshold issuesubstantive rightirreparable harm
References
Case No. ADJ9305498 ADJ9305504
Regular
Oct 03, 2016

IRIS PAUSELIUS vs. ABB CONCISE OPTICAL GROUP

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted applicant Iris Pauselius's petition for removal. This action rescinded a prior order by the workers' compensation administrative law judge (WCJ) requiring the applicant's personal appearance at a status conference, with a threat of dismissal. The WCAB found the WCJ's order inappropriate as applicant's counsel had appeared, and only one of the two cases was calendared. The matter is now returned to the trial level for further proceedings.

Petition for RemovalWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardWCJApplicant appearanceDismissal of casesRescind orderReturn to trial levelPersonal appearanceCounsel appearanceStatus conference
References
Case No. ADJ7035398
Regular
Mar 10, 2010

ANDREW MERLOS vs. COCA COLA ENTERPRISES, SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.

Defendant Coca Cola Enterprises petitioned for removal of a WCJ's order requiring an adjuster to appear in person at trial with settlement authority. Defendant argued the adjuster was in Ontario, travel was costly, settlement authority was present at the MSC, and the order denied due process. The Appeals Board granted removal, finding the order would not facilitate settlement and the expense was unjustified given the parties' positions. The Board amended the order to allow the adjuster to appear by telephone with settlement authority.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for RemovalOrder to AppearSettlement AuthorityMandatory Settlement ConferenceDue ProcessQualified Medical EvaluationPermanent DisabilityTrial AppearanceTelephone Appearance
References
Case No. ADJ8627409
Regular
Feb 18, 2025

PAUL PIUROWSKI vs. DALLAS COWBOYS, ACE AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY, MIAMI DOLPHINS, MULTI-LINE CLAIMS SERVICES, INC., TAMPA BAY BANDITS, ZENITH INSURANCE COMPANY, SUMMIT CONSULTING LLC

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration regarding a cumulative trauma injury claim filed by Paul Piuroswki. The Board affirmed the WCJ's finding that defendants Tampa Bay Bandits and Associated Industries of Florida Self-Insurers Fund (AIFSIF) waived their personal jurisdiction defense by failing to timely litigate the issue over nearly two years while participating in the trial on the merits. However, the Board deferred the entry of an award. Further proceedings are required to determine the proper liable entity or entities and resolve issues related to insurance coverage under Labor Code section 5500.5.

Workers CompensationPersonal JurisdictionWaiverGeneral AppearanceSpecial AppearanceNotice of AppearancePetition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardLabor Code Section 5500.5Insurance Coverage
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. ADJ8556609
Regular
Jul 01, 2018

LUIS ROBLES vs. THE ESTATE OF VICKY BLEAZARD, dba BLEAZARD COMPANY, UNINSURED EMPLOYERS BENEFITS TRUST FUND

The WCAB granted the applicant's petition for removal, reversing the WCJ's decision that denied joinder of the employer's estate and the Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund (UEBTF). The Board clarified that Labor Code § 5306 permits workers' compensation claims against a deceased uninsured employer's estate, irrespective of probate presentation. Furthermore, the Board found UEBTF properly joined due to the Estate's general appearance and service of a special notice of lawsuit. Consequently, the case is returned for further proceedings with both the Estate and UEBTF joined as defendants.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for RemovalEstate of Vicky BleazardUninsured Employers Benefits Trust FundLabor Code § 3715Labor Code § 5306general appearancespecial notice of lawsuitprobate courtstatute of limitations
References
Case No. ADJ8164012
Regular
Jul 01, 2013

HOSSEIN MOGHADAM vs. TESORO USA PETROLEUM, COMMERCE & INDUSTRY INSURANCE

This case concerns a $\$ 250$ sanction imposed on applicant's attorney for failing to appear at a hearing. The applicant's attorney sought reconsideration, arguing a misunderstanding of "special appearance." The Appeals Board denied the petition, adopting the WCJ's reasoning and clarifying that a "special appearance" does not excuse an attorney from a hearing, especially when made by opposing counsel. The Board emphasized that only a WCJ can excuse an appearance or grant a continuance, and cautioned the attorney against future rule violations.

Petition for ReconsiderationOrder Imposing SanctionsFailure to AppearSpecial AppearanceWCJApplicant's AttorneyFiduciary DutiesConflict of InterestContinuanceAppeals Board Rule 10843
References
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