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

Case No. ADJ10550274
Regular
Mar 24, 2023

MEENA CHANDOK vs. SUBSEQUENT INJURIES BENEFITS TRUST FUND

The Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) sought reconsideration of a prior award finding the applicant permanently totally disabled due to a subsequent industrial injury combined with pre-existing disabilities. SIBTF argued that an elective tubal ligation and pre-existing cervical and thoracic spine impairments were improperly rated. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) denied reconsideration, finding that the tubal ligation constituted a ratable impairment under the AMA Guides, and evidence of prior treatment for the spinal conditions predated the industrial injury. The WCAB adopted the reasoning of the Workers' Compensation Judge (WCJ), who found no legal basis to exclude an elective surgery from impairment rating and that SIBTF failed to rebut the applicant's medical evidence.

Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust FundPre-existing disabilityRatable impairmentElective tubal ligationCervical spineThoracic spineAMA GuidesLabor Code section 4751FergusonProphylactic work restriction
References
12
Case No. 03-cv-4134
Regular Panel Decision

Infantolino v. Joint Industry Board of the Electrical Industry

Anthony Infantolino sued the Joint Industry Board of the Electrical Industry (JIB) and Thomas Bush, alleging unlawful retaliation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and New York State/City laws. JIB moved for summary judgment, arguing procedural defects and substantive failures, including that it was not Infantolino's employer. The court found JIB to be a 'joint labor-management committee' and thus a 'covered entity' under the ADA, refuting the employer argument. The court denied summary judgment regarding the retaliation claims, finding genuine issues of fact as to whether JIB's stated reasons for its actions were pretexts for impermissible retaliation. However, the motion for summary judgment was granted in part, denying punitive and compensatory damages for the ADA retaliation claim and punitive damages for the New York State Human Rights Law claim, but allowing punitive damages for the New York City Human Rights Law claim.

ADA RetaliationDisability DiscriminationSummary JudgmentBurden-Shifting FrameworkCausal ConnectionPretextPunitive DamagesCompensatory DamagesNew York City Human Rights LawNew York State Human Rights Law
References
36
Case No. ADJ401657
Regular
Oct 07, 2025

ROBERTO DURAN vs. FOTO-KEM INDUSTRIES, UNITED STATES FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration of a WCJ's Findings and Orders (F&O) in the case of Roberto Duran against Foto-Kem Industries. The WCJ had previously found the defendant bound by stipulations of cumulative injury, but the Appeals Board ruled these stipulations unenforceable. After reviewing the Agreed Medical Evaluator (AME) Dr. Siebold's reports, the Board found his opinion constituted substantial evidence. Consequently, the Appeals Board rescinded the prior F&O and substituted a new F&O, finding that the applicant sustained cumulative injury to his cervical spine, right shoulder, right upper extremity, lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee during his employment from January 1, 1995, through June 28, 2007.

Adjudication NumberFoto-Kem IndustriesUnites States Fire Insurance CompanyKrum & ForesterReconsiderationFindings and OrdersStipulationsWCJGood CauseSet Aside
References
0
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Foulton v. Martec Industries

The claimant, a laborer for Martec Industries, sought workers' compensation benefits for a back injury allegedly sustained on June 7, 2006. Martec and its workers' compensation carrier controverted the claim, citing the claimant's history of prior back injuries in 1998 and 2000. A Workers' Compensation Law Judge initially awarded benefits, concluding the June 7, 2006 incident constituted an accidental work-related aggravation of prior injuries, a decision affirmed by the Workers' Compensation Board. On appeal, the court reversed the Board's decision, finding insufficient evidence that the June 7, 2006 incident caused a new disability. Evidence showed the claimant had experienced chronic back pain since 1998, and physicians attributed his disability primarily to preexisting conditions. The matter was remitted to the Workers' Compensation Board for further proceedings.

Workers' CompensationBack InjuryAggravationPreexisting ConditionMedical EvidenceDisability BenefitsAppellate ReviewReversalRemittalEmployer Liability
References
3
Case No. ADJ8457042
Regular
Nov 04, 2014

ALICE JEFFRES vs. ARROYO GRANDE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

This case involves a dispute over the extent of an industrial injury sustained by an applicant. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) affirmed the administrative law judge's finding that the applicant suffered industrial injuries to her shoulders, cervical spine, right knee, thoracic spine, upper extremities, and hands. However, the WCAB granted reconsideration to clarify that while the industrial incident temporarily aggravated the applicant's pre-existing fibromyalgia, it did not necessitate ongoing industrial medical treatment for that condition. The WCAB found the opinions of treating physicians to constitute substantial evidence, outweighing defendant's reliance on a panel QME.

Fibromyalgia aggravationQualified Medical EvaluatorTreating PhysiciansSubstantial Medical EvidenceApportionmentPermanent DisabilityIndustrial InjuryWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardReport and RecommendationPetition for Reconsideration
References
0
Case No. ADJ1970560 (OAK 0344240)
Regular
Mar 09, 2016

VAZGEN MANAS vs. THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, as administrator of the SUBSEQUENT INJURIES BENEFITS TRUST FUND

This case concerns a credit sought by the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) for permanent disability advances paid to the applicant. The SIBTF argued that its liability for combined permanent disability should be calculated under Labor Code section 4751, which limits liability to the difference between the combined disability and the disability from the subsequent injury alone. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board agreed, reversing the prior finding that allowed a credit under section 4753 for the employer's payments. The Board clarified that section 4753 applies to payments for preexisting disability, not the subsequent industrial injury, and thus SIBTF's credit is limited by section 4751.

Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust FundLabor Code section 4751Labor Code section 4753permanent disability advancespreexisting permanent disabilitysubsequent industrial injurycombined permanent disabilitycreditWCJFindings of Fact
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 11, 2003

Coku v. Millar Elevator Industries, Inc.

The plaintiffs appealed a judgment dismissing their complaint against Millar Elevator Industries, Inc. The injured plaintiff, a maintenance worker, allegedly sustained injuries when he fell from a stepladder in a service elevator that suddenly dropped. The trial court erred in refusing to instruct the jury on the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur, despite the plaintiffs establishing the necessary elements (event ordinarily indicating negligence, defendant's exclusive control, and no plaintiff contribution). Consequently, the appellate court reversed the judgment, reinstated the complaint, and granted the plaintiffs a new trial against Millar Elevator Industries, Inc. Additionally, testimony regarding an experiment with the stepladder was deemed inadmissible for the new trial.

Personal InjuryNegligenceRes Ipsa LoquiturElevator AccidentStepladder FallJury InstructionsExclusive ControlNew TrialAdmissibility of EvidenceAppellate Procedure
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Ginsberg v. Industrial Home for the Blind

The court considered the defendants' motion for summary judgment in a case involving plaintiff Seymour Ginsberg, who sustained a transportation-related injury during his employment with the Industrial Home for the Blind. The defendants argued that the plaintiff's sole legal recourse was under the Workers' Compensation Law. The Special Term correctly granted the defendants' motion, thereby dismissing the complaint. This decision was based on the finding that the injury arose out of and in the course of employment, making the Workers’ Compensation Law the exclusive remedy for the plaintiff.

Workers' CompensationSummary JudgmentExclusive RemedyTransportation InjuryEmployment
References
1
Case No. ADJ3953602 (SRO 0133844) ADJ2646453 (SRO 0133845)
Regular
Dec 21, 2012

ROBERTO HERNANDEZ vs. MILL VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT, SUBSEQUENT INJURIES BENEFITS TRUST FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed an earlier decision awarding applicant 100% permanent disability, less credits and fees, due to industrial injuries to his right knee, psyche, and lumbar spine. The Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) sought reconsideration, arguing the applicant's disability was solely from the latter injury and thus not eligible for SIBTF benefits. The Board accepted the applicant's late-filed answer to the SIBTF's petition and, agreeing with the original judge, denied the SIBTF's petition for reconsideration. The Board also admitted two exhibits previously marked for identification into evidence.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDSUBSEQUENT INJURIES BENEFITS TRUST FUNDRECONSIDERATIONFINDINGS AND AWARDPERMANENT DISABILITYINDUSTRIAL INJURYPSYCHELUMBAR SPINEMAINTENANCE WORKERADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE
References
2
Case No. ADJ9815883 ADJ9815873
Regular
Apr 03, 2017

OCTAVIO AVILEZ vs. ANDRE LANDSCAPE SERVICE, INC., STARR INDEMNITY & LIABILITY CO.

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration to clarify the applicant's alleged industrial injuries to his cervical and lumbar spine. An agreed medical evaluator's reports present conflicting opinions regarding causation and permanent disability from the incidents on August 12, 2014, and January 9, 2015. The Board is deferring the spine injury issue pending further clarification from the evaluator on whether these incidents caused any disability or required medical treatment. The Board also expressly found no industrial injury to the upper and lower extremities and deferred all other body parts.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationAgreed Medical EvaluatorOrthopedistIndustrial InjuryCervical SpineLumbar SpineUpper ExtremitiesLower ExtremitiesDeferred Issue
References
1
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