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. 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 The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr.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. ADJ9170309
Regular
Nov 03, 2025

Miguel Mosqueda vs. City of Clearlake

Applicant Miguel Mosqueda sought reconsideration of a July 25, 2025 decision which found his injuries were not caused by the employer's serious and willful misconduct or violation of safety orders. Mosqueda, a maintenance worker, suffered catastrophic injuries, including paraplegia, after falling from a ladder while trimming a tree for the City of Clearlake. He contended that the employer violated several Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8 sections related to safety, training, and equipment. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, adopting the WCJ's report, denied the petition for reconsideration, concluding that the employer's actions did not constitute serious and willful misconduct and that no alleged safety violation was the proximate cause of the accident.

Serious and willful misconductPetition for reconsiderationFindings and OrderViolation of statuteViolation of safety orderCal. Code Regs. tit. 8 § 3203Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8 § 3276(d)(1)Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8 § 3276(e)(15)Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8 § 3421(b)Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8 § 3421(d)
References
Case No. ADJ8128282
Regular
Jan 23, 2014

ANGELA EGBIKUADJE vs. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATIONS, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and rescinded a prior award, returning the case for further proceedings. The defendant, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, argued that the applicant's psychiatric injury claim was preempted by the ADA and not proven under Labor Code section 3208.3. The Board found the original decision lacked proper analysis regarding predominant industrial causation and the good faith personnel action defense. Therefore, the case was remanded for further development of the record, including expert medical opinion on these issues.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardAngela EgbikuadjeCalifornia Department of Corrections and RehabilitationLegally UninsuredState Compensation Insurance FundADJ8128282Van Nuys District OfficeReconsiderationFindings and AwardIndustrial cumulative trauma injury
References
Case No. ADJ8603115
Regular
Aug 15, 2013

Laverne Maliga vs. CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the City and County of San Francisco's petition for reconsideration of an award to Laverne Maliga. The applicant, a firefighter, sustained an injury while attending a trench rescue training class offered through a federal grant program. The Board adopted the Workers' Compensation Judge's report, which found the injury arose out of and in the course of employment because the Fire Department encouraged participation in such training for skill development and public protection. The judge distinguished this case from similar ones by noting the employer's active encouragement and provision of opportunities for the training.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCity and County of San FranciscoPetition for ReconsiderationFindings of FactCourse of EmploymentTrench Rescue TrainingSan Francisco Fire DepartmentHomeland Security GrantOff-Duty StatusProfessional Development
References
Case No. ADJ4628737
Regular
Mar 08, 2010

FREDDIE HENSON vs. COUNTY OF FRESNO

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the County of Fresno's petition for reconsideration, affirming the finding that Freddie Henson sustained injury arising out of and occurring in the course of employment (AOE/COE). The Board found that Henson's training, though part of a university program, was directly beneficial to his role as a reserve deputy sheriff and was impliedly authorized by the County. The injury occurred during a training scenario, exposing him to dangers inherent in his employment as a law enforcement officer. Therefore, the Board concluded Henson was acting within the course of his employment when injured.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReserve Deputy SheriffCriminology 108Fresno StateAOE/COEcourse of employmentimpliedly authorizeddirect benefitjob functionstraining scenario
References
Case No. ADJ7671812
Regular
May 06, 2013

JONATHAN SOFER vs. SIMARO LIMOUSINE; A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION; ALEXANDER OBUKJOVSKY INVIVIDUALLY AND AS THE SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDER OF SIMARO, INC.

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the defendant's Petition for Reconsideration, upholding the finding that the applicant was an employee, not an independent contractor, on the date of injury. The Board deferred to the judge's credibility findings and adopted their report which detailed evidence of employer control. This evidence included provided training, the employer owning and insuring the vehicle, and dictating job pricing. The judge found the applicant's apparent freedom to choose routes and schedules to be illusory given the obligation to meet client demands without delay.

WCABPetition for ReconsiderationApplicantDefendantIndependent ContractorEmployeeControl of BusinessTrainingCredibilitySimaro Limousine
References
Case No. ADJ7326084, ADJ7326039
Regular
May 10, 2013

THERESA GONZALES vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration of a prior order that assigned the applicant an Occupational Group Number (OGN) of 251. The applicant, a Senior Special Investigator handling child abuse cases, argued her duties warranted a higher OGN due to integral law enforcement training and the potential for dangerous situations. The Board agreed that while not a sworn police officer (OGN 490), her quasi-law enforcement duties and required training placed her more appropriately in Group 390 (Security Officer), rescinding the prior finding and returning the case for further proceedings.

Occupational Group NumberSenior Special InvestigatorLaw enforcement trainingIntegral part of occupationSecurity OfficerPolice OfficerSworn officersPermanent Disabilities Rating ScheduleReconsiderationJoint Findings and Order
References
Case No. ADJ10204439
Regular
Sep 02, 2016

JEFF SMITH vs. COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the County of Riverside's petition for reconsideration. The Board found that Deputy Sheriff Jeff Smith's injury, sustained en route to mandatory employer-ordered training, fell under the "special mission" exception to the "going and coming rule." The training's deviation in location, time, and nature from Smith's regular duties satisfied the three-part test for a special mission. Therefore, Smith's injury was deemed to have arisen out of and occurred in the course of employment.

going and coming rulespecial mission exceptionspecial errand exceptionDeputy Sherifftraffic investigation classBen Clark Training Centermotor vehicle accidentcourse of employmentroutine dutiesemployer's benefit
References
Case No. VNO 0509254
Regular
Apr 17, 2008

CAROL LEVENSON vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case involves a claim for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus allegedly caused by noise exposure during firearms training. The Appeals Board found the opinion of the Agreed Medical Evaluator, Dr. Grossan, to be substantial evidence, concluding that the applicant's conditions were not work-related. Consequently, the Board denied the applicant's claim for hearing loss and tinnitus, awarding only reimbursement for medical-legal liens.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardRemovalTemporary DisabilityFindings and AwardLicensing Program AnalystBilateral Hearing LossFirearms TrainingShooting RangeTinnitusQualified Medical Evaluator (QME)
References
Case No. ADJ7469704
Regular
Feb 21, 2012

SANDIE TAYLOR vs. COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE

Here's a summary of the case for a lawyer in a maximum of four sentences: The applicant, Sandie Taylor, injured herself while participating in mandatory training for the County of Riverside's Mounted Posse. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration, reversing the trial judge's finding that she was not an employee. The Board determined that Taylor was performing services for the County, subject to their control and benefiting them, and thus considered her an employee under Labor Code section 3366 at the time of her injury. The case is returned for further proceedings on other issues.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDSANDIE TAYLORCOUNTY OF RIVERSIDEADJ7469704OPINION AND ORDER GRANTING RECONSIDERATIONFINDINGS OF FACTADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGELABOR CODE SECTION 3366SHERIFF VOLUNTEERMOUNTED POSSE
References
Showing 1-10 of 55 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