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

Case No. ADJ6757080
Regular
Jul 23, 2012

GRACE AOKI vs. CITY OF TORRANCE

This case concerns a library page's permanent disability rating for a right shoulder injury. The agreed medical evaluator combined ratings for loss of motion and weakness/grip strength, exceeding AMA Guides limitations for combining such impairments. The Appeals Board found the physician's report insufficient to rebut AMA Guide standards or explain the combined rating. Consequently, the permanent disability award was reduced from 46% to 20%.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardGrace AokiCity of TorrancePermissibly Self-InsuredReconsiderationJoint Findings and AwardPermanent DisabilityAgreed Medical EvaluatorSeymour L. AlbanPetition for Reconsideration
References
Case No. ADJ7263382
Regular
Dec 24, 2015

Grace Navarro vs. CITY OF OXNARD HOUSING AUTHORITY, PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION INSURANCE, AMERICAN CLAIMS MANAGEMENT, DELOS INSURANCE, IMPERIUM INSURANCE, ATHENS ADMINISTRATORS

In this workers' compensation case, the Appeals Board reviewed a dispute over which insurance carrier was liable for applicant Grace Navarro's cumulative trauma injury. The initial arbitrator found only Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association Insurance Company liable, excluding Delos Insurance. Pennsylvania Manufacturers sought reconsideration, arguing Delos should share liability based on its coverage period. After reviewing the complete evidence, the Appeals Board affirmed the original arbitrator's decision, finding Pennsylvania Manufacturers solely liable.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDGRACE NAVARROCITY OF OXNARD HOUSING AUTHORITYPENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION INSURANCEDELOS INSURANCEIMPERIUM INSURANCEATHENS ADMINISTRATORSADJ7263382RECONSIDERATIONCUMULATIVE TRAUMA
References
Case No. ADJ210492 (STK 0208739)
Regular
Jan 14, 2010

MICHAEL HASLEY vs. GRACE MOVING COMPANY, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied Grace Moving Company's petition for reconsideration, upholding a prior award of 50% permanent disability to Michael Hasley for a neck injury. The Board found that the defendant failed to meet its burden of proving apportionment to non-industrial causes. The Agreed Medical Evaluator's report was deemed ambiguous regarding causation and apportionment, and the defendant did not provide clarifying evidence. Therefore, the applicant was entitled to an unapportioned award.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and Awardindustrial injurypermanent disabilityapportionmentAgreed Medical EvaluatorAMEcausationreasonable medical probability
References
Case No. ADJ9664433
Regular
Jan 27, 2020

DANA GRACE vs. PANINO SANTA YNEZ, EMPLOYERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE COMPANY

This case concerns a workers' compensation claim for permanent total disability due to an industrial injury sustained by Dana Grace as a server. Both applicant and defendant sought reconsideration of the initial finding regarding applicant's average weekly earnings. The Board granted both petitions, amending the decision to establish applicant's average weekly wage at $553.50, based on a 40-hour workweek at $11.50 per hour plus a meal allowance. This revised wage establishes a permanent total disability indemnity rate of $369.00 per week, before cost of living adjustments.

Average Weekly EarningsEarning CapacityPermanent Total DisabilityReconsiderationFindings of Fact and AwardIndustrial InjuryWCJPetitions for ReconsiderationLabor Code Section 4659(c)Evidence Code Section 1401(a)
References
Case No. ADJ8210063; ADJ8621818
Regular
Feb 27, 2025

GRACE NUNES vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES; administered by STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

Grace Nunes, an applicant, sustained industrial injuries to her neck, left shoulder, and bilateral upper extremities while employed by the State of California, Department of Motor Vehicles. Following a prior reconsideration, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) clarified that 'vocational apportionment' is impermissible and vocational evidence must align with medical apportionment. The Workers' Compensation Judge (WCJ) ordered further development of the record with the Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) and vocational experts to comply with the Board's decisions. Applicant petitioned for reconsideration or removal of this interlocutory order, which the Appeals Board denied, affirming the WCJ's discretion to develop the record for a just and reasoned decision.

Industrial injuryNeck injuryShoulder injuryBilateral upper extremitiesField representativeVocational retrainingPermanent and total disabilityVocational apportionmentMedical apportionmentQualified Medical Evaluator
References
Case No. ADJ4201900 (OAK 0256105) ADJ1515754 (OAK 0212526) ADJ868359 (OAK 0282983)
Regular
Feb 27, 2017

GRACE BEATTY vs. KAISER FOUNDATION HEALTH PLAN HOSPITAL

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) dismissed the applicant's petitions for reconsideration. The petitions sought to revisit a Minute Order that placed the case off calendar, which is not a final order. A petition for reconsideration can only be taken from a final order that determines substantive rights or liabilities. Therefore, the WCAB found the petitions procedurally improper and dismissed them.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationOff Calendar OrderCompromise and ReleaseSubsequent Injury Benefits Trust FundNon-Final OrderLabor CodeFinal OrderSubstantive RightLiability
References
Case No. ADJ4496807 (VNO 0499811) ADJ3341882 (VNO 0530358)
Regular
Feb 05, 2010

GRACE CHU STARNES vs. GLAXO SMITH KLINE, NATLSCO administered by BROADSPIRE

The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinding the prior order that deemed the applicant's lien claim non-industrial. Medical evidence, including physician's notes and hospital records, corroborated the applicant's statements that her cervical spine pain began due to job activities. Therefore, the Board found the applicant sustained a cumulative trauma industrial injury. The case was returned to the WCJ for further proceedings and a new decision.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardGlaxo Smith KlineNatlscoBroadspireAetnalien claimantreconsiderationWCJnon-industrial treatmentcumulative trauma
References
Case No. ADJ4313424 (SJO 0269593)
Regular
Jul 13, 2011

SUSAN GRACE vs. SANTA CLARA COUNTY HEALTH, COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted the defendant's Petition for Removal, rescinding the WCJ's order that allowed the applicant to obtain expert evidence on the "Ogilvie" issue after the mandatory settlement conference (MSC). The Board found the applicant failed to demonstrate due diligence in identifying and retaining an expert witness for this issue prior to the MSC. Consequently, discovery was closed as of the MSC date, and the case was returned to the trial level for further proceedings.

Ogilvie evidenceGrupe casePetition for RemovalMandatory Settlement ConferenceLabor Code section 5502(e)(3)due diligencePermanent Disability Rating ScheduleDREC adjustment factorWCJAppeals Board
References
Case No. ADJ8210063; ADJ8621818
En Banc
Aug 29, 2023

GRACE NUNES vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPT. OF MOTOR VEHICLES, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the applicant's petition for reconsideration, affirming its prior en banc decision that permanent disability apportionment must be based on a physician's medical evaluation as mandated by Labor Code section 4663, and that vocational evidence cannot substitute an impermissible 'vocational apportionment' in place of a valid medical apportionment.

VOCATIONAL APPORTIONMENTMEDICAL APPORTIONMENTPERMANENT DISABILITYQUALIFIED MEDICAL EVALUATORLABOR CODE SECTION 4663SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCEAPPEALS BOARD EN BANCFINDINGS OF FACT AND AWARDFINAL ORDERRECONSIDERATION DENIED
References
Case No. ADJ8210063; ADJ8621818
En Banc
Jun 22, 2023

GRACE NUNES vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPT. OF MOTOR VEHICLES, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Appeals Board rescinded a 100% disability award because the vocational and medical records were incomplete regarding apportionment. The case was returned to the trial level to properly evaluate whether non-industrial factors contributed to the applicant's inability to be retrained for work.

En BancReconsiderationApportionmentVocational ApportionmentMedical ApportionmentPermanent DisabilityVocational ExpertQualified Medical EvaluatorAMA GuidesLabor Code Section 4663
References
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