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

Case No. ADJ7673518, ADJ7647749
Regular
Jan 23, 2015

ANA DE AYALA vs. AO-THE UNIVERSITY CORPORATION / CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY NORTHRIDGE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and reversed a prior ruling, finding the applicant sustained industrial injury to her neck. While the applicant testified to injuring her neck in a workplace incident and this was partially corroborated, the Board found insufficient evidence for other claimed injuries. The Board specifically disagreed with the administrative law judge's credibility assessment concerning the neck injury itself, relying on medical reports and testimony supporting the neck injury claim. The Board affirmed the denial of claims for all other alleged injuries, finding insufficient medical evidence to link them to the incident.

Petition for ReconsiderationFindings and OrderIndustrial InjuryNeck InjuryBack InjurySpine InjuryUpper ExtremitiesPsycheGastroesophageal SystemInternal System
References
Case No. ADJ8501790
Regular
Jul 29, 2015

Kelly Chase vs. St. Louis Blues Hockey Club, Federal Insurance Company

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) reversed a prior finding of industrial injury for a professional hockey player against the St. Louis Blues. The WCAB found insufficient connection to California for jurisdiction, citing the player's limited games in the state compared to his overall career. This decision followed the precedent set in *Federal Insurance Co. v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd. (Johnson)*, which requires a legitimate and substantial connection to the state for jurisdiction. The WCAB concluded that 21 games out of 485 did not meet this standard for a cumulative injury claim.

WCABSt. Louis Blues Hockey ClubFederal Insurance CompanyADJ8501790Opinion and Decision After Reconsiderationcumulative industrial injuryprofessional hockey playersubject matter jurisdictionstatute of limitationssubstantial medical evidence
References
Case No. ADJ6655702
Regular
Mar 18, 2010

GERICK CATUGDA vs. WINKLEBLACK CONSTRUCTION, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE COMPANY c/o APPLIED RISK SERVICES

This case concerns whether the "going and coming rule" bars applicant's workers' compensation claim for injuries sustained during his commute. The defendant argued the rule applied, but the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied their petition for reconsideration. The Board adopted the WCJ's finding that the applicant's employment required him to have transportation for multiple job sites, creating an exception to the rule. This decision aligns with established precedent, where transportation necessity for the employer's benefit removes the commute from the rule's exclusion.

Going and coming ruleindustrial injuryconstruction laborerhead injurybrain injurypsyche injuryspine injuryribs injurypelvis injuryarms injury
References
Case No. ADJ2859198 (MON 0336989) ADJ6864257 ADJ6864244
Regular
Dec 22, 2016

MICHAEL CHANEY vs. WARNER BROTHERS STUDIO FACILITIES

This Workers' Compensation Appeals Board decision addresses Defendant Warner Brothers' petition for reconsideration of a prior finding of injury AOE/COE to the applicant's neck, back, hands, and psyche. The Board admits a disputed medical report from Dr. Friedman into evidence, finding Defendant failed to meet its burden to exclude it. The Board affirms the WCJ's findings, concluding that substantial evidence supports injury to the applicant's hands and that the neck injury claim is not time-barred based on AME Dr. Harris's opinion. The Board also finds sufficient evidence for the psychiatric injury claim, relying on the admitted report and acknowledging Defendant's arguments regarding causation were factually inaccurate.

AOE/COEdate of injurystatute of limitationspsychiatric injurycausation thresholdLabor Code section 3208.3medical reportsAgreed Medical EvaluatorQualified Medical Examinercumulative trauma
References
Case No. LAO 823855, LAO 823856
Regular
Oct 03, 2007

PEDRO M. RODRIGUEZ vs. RALPHS GROCERY COMPANY

The applicant sought reconsideration of a denial of workers' compensation benefits, which was based on the finding that his claims were filed after notice of termination. The Board affirmed the denial, concluding that the applicant's job abandonment led to a termination prior to the filing of his claims. The Board also determined that the employer properly denied both the specific and cumulative trauma claims, thus negating a presumption of compensability.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and OrderFindings of FactAdministrative Law JudgeApplicantDefendantRalphs Grocery CompanySecurity GuardIndustrial Injury
References
Case No. ADJ7748945
Regular
Feb 22, 2013

KAREN MURRAY vs. KERN VILLAGE ASSISTED LIVING, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the applicant's petition for reconsideration. The applicant claimed industrial injury to her neck and shoulders on February 10, 2011, while working as a caregiver. The administrative law judge found the applicant failed to prove the injury arose out of and occurred in the course of employment (AOE/COE), citing a lack of credibility in her testimony and conflicting testimony from a co-worker. Because the AOE/COE claim failed, the issue of the claim being barred as a post-termination claim became moot.

AOE/COELabor Code 3600(a)(10)post-termination claimcaregiver injuryindustrial injuryWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardWCJ credibilitypreponderance of the evidencesubstantial evidencepetition for reconsideration
References
Case No. ADJ13021836; ADJ13022571; ADJ17282642; ADJ20509785; ADJ20509813
Regular
Sep 08, 2025

MARTINA VARELAS vs. PALMDALE LODGING ASSOCIATES, ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY, GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY, EMPLOYERS ASSURANCE COMPANY, SECURITY NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY

Defendant Security National Insurance Company sought reconsideration of a Workers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge's (WCJ) decision regarding injuries sustained by applicant Martina Varelas. The WCJ had found that the applicant sustained injury arising out of and in the course of employment (AOE/COE) to her excretory and reproductive systems across multiple employment periods and adjudication numbers. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted the petition for reconsideration, concluding that the WCJ had not sufficiently explained the basis for the decision on injury AOE/COE and liability, and that the record needed further development. A final decision on the merits has been deferred pending further review.

AOE/COEexcretory system injuryreproductive system injurycumulative traumaspecific injuryslip and falldate of injuryLabor Code section 5412Labor Code section 5500.5Petition for Reconsideration
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. ADJ 1612085, ADJ 3458861, VNO 407730, VNO 407729
Regular
Aug 29, 2008

JOHN HANSEN vs. TILE TRENDS, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND, ZC INSURANCE

The WCAB denied reconsideration of a decision awarding permanent disability benefits to the applicant for industrial injuries to his spine, shoulders, knees, back, neck, and heart/internal system. The defendants argued that the WCJ erred in finding the date of injury, relying on certain medical opinions, and apportioning liability.

WCABTile SetterSpine InjuryShoulder InjuryKnee InjuryBack InjuryNeck InjuryHeart InjuryInternal System InjuryTemporary Disability
References
Case No. OXN 0132192
Regular
Jan 23, 2008

JAMES NICHOLS vs. ENTERTAINMENT PARTNERS, CNA CLAIMS PLUS

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration to address the applicant's and defendant's challenges to a previous decision. The WCAB rescinded the prior award, finding that the administrative law judge improperly applied the now-obsolete *Wilkinson* rule for apportionment. The case is returned to the trial level for further proceedings and a new decision, applying the causation-based apportionment principles established in *Benson v. The Permanente Medical Group*.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationJoint Findings and AwardIndustrial InjuryNeck InjuryHead InjuryBack InjuryKnee InjuryShoulder InjuryHernia
References
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