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. 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. 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 The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr.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. ADJ9320206
Regular
May 08, 2014

MIKE VILLALOBOS vs. WESTERN VILLAGE HEALTH CLUB, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case involves applicant Mike Villalobos seeking removal of a decision denying his request to change venue from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara. The WCAB denied removal, holding that Santa Barbara only has a satellite office of the Oxnard District Office, not a formal WCAB district office. The Board deferred to the DWC's administrative construction that only district offices count for venue purposes, citing practical differences in staffing and facilities. Therefore, the original venue in San Luis Obispo was upheld.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for RemovalChange of VenueDistrict OfficeSatellite OfficeAdministrative ConstructionLabor Code Section 5501.5Goleta District OfficeOxnard District OfficeSanta Barbara Satellite Office
References
Case No. ADJ460672 (SFO 0499592), ADJ1224818 (SFO 0499593)
Regular
May 03, 2012

HAMID KHAZAELI vs. SPEDIA.COM INC. and SYSMASTER CORP., GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY

This case involves an applicant, Hamid Khazaeli, who filed a petition with the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB). The petition sought reconsideration, removal, disqualification, and to compel testimony from judicial officers. The WCAB, adopting the recommendation of the administrative law judge, has dismissed Khazaeli's petition. Therefore, the applicant's request for further review and action is denied.

ADJ460672ADJ1224818SFO 0499592SFO 0499593Spedia.com Inc.Sysmaster Corp.Great American Insurance CompanyPetition for ReconsiderationPetition for RemovalDisqualification
References
Case No. ADJ10053885
Regular
Dec 24, 2015

MARK NEVITT vs. PARAMOUNT PAINTING, MARKEL SERVICES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted the applicant's petition for removal, overturning an order denying a change of venue. The WCAB found that venue was proper in Santa Barbara because the applicant resides and his attorney's principal place of business is located there. The Board determined that the Santa Barbara office provides the same essential services as other district offices, making it a valid location for venue under Labor Code section 5501.5. Consequently, the case venue was transferred to the Santa Barbara District Office.

Petition for RemovalOrder Denying Change of VenueLabor Code Section 5501.5VenueDistrict OfficeSanta Barbara District OfficeSan Luis Obispo District OfficeApplicant's ResidencePlace of InjuryAttorney's Principal Place of Business
References
Case No. ADJ8534435
Regular
Jan 11, 2013

RONALD EHMAN vs. AMERICAN CIVIL CONSTRUCTORS, OLD REPUBLIC INSURANCE CORPORATION

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board dismissed the defendant's Petition for Reconsideration because venue orders are not considered final. The Board also denied the defendant's Petition for Removal, finding the WCJ properly transferred venue to the Oakland District Office. This decision was based on the applicant's residence in Solano County and the injury occurring in Contra Costa County, neither of which have district offices, and Oakland being the nearest office to the injury site. The defendant failed to demonstrate irreparable harm would result from the venue change.

VenueReconsiderationRemovalLabor Code section 5501.5District OfficeApplicant ResidenceInjury LocationContra Costa CountySolano CountyOakland District Office
References
Case No. ADJ8962530
Regular
Oct 05, 2015

Angelina Campos vs. INTEGRATED HEALTH MANAGEMENT SERVICES, CNA CLAIMS PLUS

This case involves a workers' compensation applicant who initially filed in Santa Barbara but was rerouted to Oxnard and then San Luis Obispo. The applicant, now represented, sought to transfer venue back to Santa Barbara, arguing it was the proper location due to her residence, attorney's office, and original filing intent. The WCAB granted removal, rescinded the WCJ's denial, and ordered the venue transferred to Santa Barbara, finding it a valid district office with full services. The decision emphasizes that venue is mandatory in the county of residence or attorney's principal place of business if a district office exists there.

WCABPetition for RemovalChange of VenueLabor Code Section 5501.5Pro PerSan Luis Obispo District OfficeSanta Barbara District OfficeOxnard District OfficeApplication for Adjudication of ClaimCumulative Injury
References
Case No. ADJ460672 (SFO 0499592), ADJ224818 (SFO 0499593)
Regular
Jul 11, 2012

HAMID KHAZAELI vs. SPEDIA.COM, INC., and SYSMASTER CORP., GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE CO

Applicant Hamid Khazaeli has been declared a vexatious litigant under CCR Title 8, Section 10782, requiring pre-filing approval for any filings with the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) unless represented by an attorney. His "Petition for Reconsideration, Removal, Disqualification, and to Compel Testimony" filed on June 29, 2012, was reviewed. The WCAB did not accept this petition for filing, deeming it largely duplicative of prior dismissed and rejected filings. This decision reinforces the applicant's status as a vexatious litigant subject to strict pre-filing review protocols.

Vexatious LitigantPre-filing OrderCCR Title 8 Section 10782Petition for ReconsiderationRemovalDisqualificationCompel TestimonyJudicial OfficersQuasi-Judicial OfficersAppeals Board
References
Case No. ADJ10833548
Regular
May 22, 2018

REINA CHUR vs. DOUGLAS EMMETT MANAGEMENT, LLC, GALLAGHER BASSETT

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted applicant Reina Chur's petition for removal, overturning an order denying her request to change venue. The Board found good cause to transfer the case from Marina Del Rey to Los Angeles, citing financial hardship, continuity of records, and the fact that the applicant's attorney's office is located in Los Angeles. This decision aims to consolidate related claims for judicial economy and convenience, as the applicant has two other active cases against the same employer filed in the Los Angeles district office.

Petition for RemovalChange of VenueLabor Code section 5501.6Good CauseFinancial HardshipContinuity of RecordSelection of AttorneyJudicial EconomyWCABOrder Denying Change of Venue
References
Case No. ADJ9316584
Regular
May 12, 2014

FRANCISCO BAEZ vs. JOHN CRAVENS PLASTERING, INC., INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE WEST

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) denied the applicant's Petition for Removal, upholding the administrative law judge's decision. The WCAB clarified that "satellite offices," like the one in Santa Barbara, do not qualify as "district offices" for venue purposes under Labor Code Section 5501.5. This distinction is based on the greater resources and staffing available at full-fledged district offices, supported by administrative interpretation and practical necessity. The WCAB affirmed its authority to calendar hearings at various locations based on available resources, regardless of the applicant's preferred venue.

Petition for RemovalWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardDivision of Workers' CompensationDistrict OfficeSatellite OfficeVenueLabor CodeAdministrative ConstructionContemporaneous Administrative ConstructionJudicial Resources
References
Showing 1-10 of 2,217 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