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

Case No. ADJ485759 (VNO 0432097), ADJ1649980 (VNO 0418744), ADJ4677394 (VNO 0489134), ADJ2693882 (VNO 0489135)
Regular
May 09, 2012

WALTER CRABTREE vs. M.R. AUTOMOTIVE, CIGA, Administered by INTERCARE INSURANCE SERVICES, INC., for HIH AMERICA COMPENSATION in Liquidation

This case involves a petition for disqualification of a Workers' Compensation Judge (WCJ) filed by attorney M. Francesca Hannan. Hannan alleged that WCJ Edelberg, along with two other WCJs, conspired to penalize her for delays caused by her medical condition. The Appeals Board denied the petition, finding Hannan's allegations lacked specific facts and were untimely filed. Hannan failed to provide sufficient evidence, including required witness declarations, to support her claims of bias.

WCABPetition for disqualificationWCJLien claimantM.R. AutomotiveCIGAHannanWestlake SpineImperial Lien SolutionsDisqualification of judge
References
Case No. ADJ3687516 (OXN 0126293)
Regular
Dec 22, 2011

RAMONA ANAYA, JUAN JOSE GONZALEZ, JESUS CERVANTES, JULIE ANN CABEZA, JULY SUESUE vs. PORT HUENEME UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, J. M. SMUCKERS, SPECIALTY RISK SERVICES, AMERICA TECHNOLOGIES, INC., AIG DOMESTIC CLAIMS, INC., GHL ENTERPRISES, CIGA, INTERCARE INSURANCE SERVICES, INC., PAULA INSURANCE COMPANY, MARY HEALTH OF THE SICK, REDISE INSURANCE, CRAWFY AND COMPANY, CITY OF LONG BEACH

Attorney M. Francesca Hannan sought reconsideration and disqualification of judges, alleging a conspiracy to dismiss her clients' liens and impose sanctions. The Board consolidated seven cases, designating *Anaya* as the master file, and ordered Hannan to provide a detailed factual response supporting her claims. Hannan requested a 120-day extension to file due to issues with mail delivery and requested a waiver for a lien trial transcript cost. The Board granted a 60-day extension for the response, but denied the waiver for the transcript cost, citing lack of justification and untimeliness of the bias allegation regarding the transcript.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardDisqualification petitionAdministrative Law JudgeBias allegationsExtension of timeVerified responseLien trial transcriptSanctionsAttorney's feesConsolidation of cases
References
Case No. ADJ2036536 (LAO 0869899) ADJ3609983 (LAO 0869895) ADJ6580743
Regular
May 09, 2012

JULY SUESUE vs. CITY OF LONG BEACH

Attorney Hannan petitioned to disqualify WCJ Glass, alleging he and other judges conspired to dismiss her clients' liens and impose sanctions due to her medical issues. This petition was one of several similar claims made by Hannan. The Board denied the petition, finding Hannan failed to provide specific factual evidence supporting her allegations of bias. The case is returned to the trial level for further proceedings.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for DisqualificationAdministrative Law JudgeWCJBiasConspiracySanctionsLiensContinuanceDisability Accommodation
References
Case No. ADJ1486247 (OXN 0143747) ADJ4223931 (OXN 0141326)
Regular
May 09, 2012

JUAN JOSE GONZALEZ vs. J. M. SMUCKERS as Administered by SPECIALTY RISK SERVICES, AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC., as administered by AIG DOMESTIC CLAIMS, INC.

This case concerns a petition for disqualification of Workers' Compensation Judge Morgan, filed by attorney M. Francesca Hannan. Hannan alleged that Judge Morgan and other judges conspired to dismiss her clients' liens and impose sanctions due to her medical issues causing delayed appearances. The Appeals Board denied the petition, finding the allegations unsubstantiated and the petition untimely. Hannan failed to provide specific facts or witness declarations to support her claims of bias.

Workers' Compensation Appeals Boarddisqualificationadministrative law judgelienssanctionsbiasimpartialitypetition for disqualificationmandatory settlement conferencelien claimant
References
Case No. ADJ3687516
Regular
Jan 26, 2012

RAMONA ANAYA, JUAN JOSE GONZALEZ, JESUS CERVANTES, JULIE ANN CABEZA, WALTER CRABTREE vs. PORT HUENEME UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, J. M. SMUCKERS, SPECIALTY RISK SERVICES, AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC., AIG DOMESTIC CLAIMS, INC., GHL ENTERPRISES, CIGA, INTERCARE INSURANCE SERVICES, INC., PAULA INSURANCE COMPANY, MARY HEALTH OF THE SICK, REDISED INSURANCE, CRAWFY AND COMPANY, M.R. AUTOMOTIVE, CIGA, Administrative inTERCARE INSURANCE SERVICES, HIH AMERICA COMPENSATION

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied Attorney M. Francesca Hannan's request for a waiver of fees or a payment plan for reporter's transcripts. Hannan sought the transcripts to support allegations of bias by a Workers' Compensation Judge and claimed financial hardship and limited time for preparation. The Board found no legal basis for the fee waiver or payment plan under applicable rules and statutes, though it affirmed Hannan's right to obtain the transcripts upon payment.

WCABPetitionReporter's TranscriptFee WaiverPayment PlanGovernment Code 68632Administrative Director Rule 9990Appeals Board Rule 10740AnayaLien Trial
References
Case No. ADJ1988796 (OXN 0126081) ADJ4225705 (OXN 0126083)
Regular
May 09, 2012

JULIE ANN CABEZA vs. MARY HEALTH OF THE SICK, REDLAND INSURANCE

Attorney Hannan petitioned to disqualify WCJ Glass based on allegations of a conspiracy with other WCJs to penalize her and her clients. The Appeals Board denied the petition, finding insufficient specific facts and evidence to support the claims of bias. Hannan failed to provide required witness declarations and her allegations largely repeated prior contentions. The Board concluded the petition was untimely and lacked the necessary evidentiary support for disqualification.

Petition for disqualificationWCJ biasconspiracy allegationslien claimantattorney misconducttimely filingevidencejudicial impartialityADA accommodationwitness declarations
References
Case No. ADJ4673385 (OXN 0124206)
Regular
May 09, 2012

JESUS CERVANTES vs. GHL ENTERPRISES, CIGA, INTERCARE INSURANCE SERVICES, INC., PAULA INSURANCE COMPANY in Liquidation

This case involved attorney Hannan's petition to disqualify Judge Morgan, alleging a conspiracy among Oxnard WCJs to penalize her for disability-related delays. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) denied the petition, finding it untimely and unsupported by sufficient evidence. Hannan failed to provide timely or credible witness declarations substantiating her claims of bias. The WCAB emphasized that allegations of bias require detailed factual support, which was lacking here.

WCABDisqualification PetitionAdministrative Law JudgeLien ConferenceSanctionsContinuanceADA accommodationBiasTimelinessBurden of Proof
References
Case No. ADJ4055531 (OXN 0137643) ADJ1549173 (OXN 0131530) ADJ2511069 (OXN 0139174)
Regular
May 09, 2012

DAWN MESSI vs. STEPHEN MITNICK, STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY, CUNNINGHAM & LANDSEN, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND, VAN SICKLE & ROWLEY, EMPLOYERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE COMPANY

Attorney M. Francesca Hannan petitioned for the disqualification of WCJ Morgan, alleging a conspiracy among Oxnard District Office WCJs to dismiss her clients' liens and sanction her due to her medical issues. The Appeals Board denied the petition, finding it untimely and unsupported by sufficient factual evidence. Hannan failed to provide timely declarations from alleged witnesses to substantiate her claims of bias and conspiracy. Therefore, the case is returned to the trial level without the disqualification of WCJ Morgan.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for DisqualificationAdministrative Law JudgeBiasSanctionsLiensCompromise and ReleaseReconsiderationADA accommodationTimeliness
References
Case No. ADJ3162900 (LAO 0866179)
Regular
Aug 23, 2012

ROBERTO GOMEZ vs. GREIF BROTHERS CORPORATION, TRAVELERS PROPERTY CASUALTY COMPANY OF AMERICA

This case concerns a lien claimant's request for reconsideration of a disallowed lien due to alleged due process violations regarding witness testimony. The Appeals Board initially ordered responses from attorney Hannan and hearing representative Surujnarain regarding these allegations. While Hannan received an extension, Surujnarain's late joinder to the extension request, citing a need for legal counsel due to his non-attorney status, was ultimately granted. Surujnarain now has until September 7, 2012, to file his verified response, with no further extensions to be granted absent a compelling showing of good cause.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings & OrderLien ClaimantDue ProcessWitness TestimonySanctionsPetition for Extension of TimeVerified ResponsePenalty of Perjury
References
Case No. ADJ485759 (VNO 0432097)
Regular
Jul 05, 2015

Walter Crabtree vs. M.R. Automotive, CIGA, Administered by Intercare Insurance Services, Inc., HIH America Compensation in Liquidation

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board dismissed two petitions for reconsideration filed by attorney Hannan and lien claimants Westlake Spine and Imperial Lien Solutions. Both petitions were deemed untimely; one challenged an order dismissing a lien filed over eleven months after service, and the other contested an order imposing sanctions filed over seven months after the initial service. The Board found that the petitions were not filed within the statutory 25-day period allowed for reconsideration. Even if timely, the Board indicated it would have denied the petitions on their merits based on the WCJ's report.

WCABPetition for ReconsiderationOrder Dismissing LienOrder Imposing SanctionsLien ClaimantsWestlake SpineImperial Lien SolutionsDisability AccommodationWCJuntimely petition
References
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