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

Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

What Happened in Felix vs. Weber Metals Reconsideration?

Claimant, a bus driver, filed for workers' compensation benefits due to an occupational disease stemming from repetitive stress injuries to his legs, including his hips, knees, and feet, caused by his employment. The Workers’ Compensation Law Judge established the case for bilateral hips but disallowed the claim for bilateral knees. This disallowance was upheld by the Workers’ Compensation Board. Claimant appealed this decision. Medical testimony presented conflicting opinions regarding the causal relationship of claimant's knee condition to his work activities. The Board's decision to discredit the treating orthopedist's opinion was found to be supported by substantial evidence and was within its authority concerning credibility determinations. The appellate court affirmed the Board's decision.

Workers' CompensationOccupational DiseaseRepetitive Stress InjuryBilateral KneesCausal RelationshipMedical EvidenceCredibility DeterminationAppellate ReviewAffirmed DecisionBus Driver
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

How Did the WCAB Rule in Hardgrove vs. Intercon Security?

The claimant, identified as a bus driver who retired in 2011, applied for workers’ compensation benefits, alleging an occupational disease due to repetitive stress on his knees. The Workers’ Compensation Board initially disallowed the claim, crediting an independent medical examination by orthopedic surgeon Carl Wilson, who concluded the knee condition was not causally related to work, but rather due to age-related wear and tear and degenerative changes. This Court previously reversed and remitted the case due to the Board's misinterpretation of MRI results. On remittal, the Board again disallowed the claim, reaffirming Wilson's credible testimony. The Appellate Division now affirms the Board’s decision, finding Wilson's medical opinion, which was based on an examination and review of medical records, to be supported by a rational basis and substantial evidence.

occupational diseaseknee injuryrepetitive stressbus driverindependent medical examinationMRI resultsdegenerative changesosteoarthritiscausal relationshipsubstantial evidence
References
6
Case No. 2014-05-0033
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 19, 2015

What Did the WCAB Decide in Cuadra vs. Community Home Care?

Employee Emily Haynes filed a Request for Expedited Hearing seeking temporary disability and medical benefits for a dislocated left kneecap sustained at work. The employer, DCI Donor Services, and its carrier, The Hartford, contended the injury was idiopathic due to Ms. Haynes' two prior left-knee dislocations and the absence of a specific work-related hazard. The Court reviewed the evidence and applicable law, including relevant Tennessee Code Annotated sections and case precedents on causation and idiopathic injuries. The Court ultimately found that Ms. Haynes failed to establish that her injury arose primarily out of her employment, concluding it was idiopathic in nature. Consequently, her request for medical and temporary disability benefits was denied, and the matter was set for an Initial Hearing.

Expedited HearingKnee DislocationIdiopathic InjuryMedical Benefits DenialTemporary Disability DenialCausation in Workers' CompPre-existing ConditionsEmployee Burden of ProofTennessee Workers' Compensation LawDCI Donor Services
References
4
Case No. 2015-07-0147
Regular Panel Decision
Sep 13, 2016

How Were Death Benefits Handled in Bocanegra vs. Sun-Gro Commodities?

Robert Lawrence filed a Request for Expedited Hearing seeking medical benefits for a right knee injury sustained during his employment at Stop N' Shop. He testified that the injury occurred on May 18, 2015, when a coworker, David, confronted him due to a private dispute involving Lawrence's sister, leading to a fall and knee dislocation. Stop N' Shop did not appear at the hearing. The Court found that while the injury occurred in the course of employment as Lawrence was performing a work duty, it did not 'arise primarily out of employment' because the altercation stemmed from an 'inherently private dispute' rather than a work-related issue. Consequently, the Court denied medical benefits at this stage, emphasizing that the incident lacked the necessary causal connection to the employment, but noted the interlocutory nature of the order allows for further evidence at a final hearing.

Workers' CompensationExpedited HearingMedical BenefitsKnee InjuryWorkplace AssaultPrivate DisputeArising Out of EmploymentCourse of EmploymentPro Se LitigantTennessee Law
References
12
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 01, 1978

Can a WCJ Be Disqualified for Appearance of Bias?

Claimant, a stockbroker, sustained a compensable left knee injury in 1974, leading to surgery and a 10% schedule loss award. Subsequently, the claimant sought to have a right knee injury, sustained in 1975 after being struck by a bicycle while en route to a medical examination for his left knee, deemed a consequential injury. While the referee initially found the right knee injury compensable, the Workers' Compensation Board reversed this decision, concluding that the evidence did not establish a direct and natural link between the industrial left knee injury and the subsequent right knee injury. The appellate court affirmed the Board's determination, citing substantial evidence in the record to support the disallowance of the claim.

Workers' CompensationKnee InjuryConsequential InjurySchedule LossBoard ReversalAffirmationStockbrokerAccidentMedical ExaminationAppellate Review
References
1
Case No. 2024-50-5318
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 29, 2026

What Were the Key Rulings in Torrez vs. SuperShuttle?

Rafael Romero-Hernandez suffered a left knee injury at work, which was initially accepted. He subsequently developed right knee pain, attributing it to overcompensation from the left knee injury. The employer, Valley Interior Systems, Inc., contested the necessity of further left knee surgery and the work-relatedness of the right knee condition. The Court found Mr. Hernandez credible and sided with the treating physician, Dr. Paul Thomas, ruling that the employer must authorize recommended surgeries for both knees. However, Mr. Hernandez's request for additional temporary disability benefits was denied, as the court found the employer's offer of sit-down work reasonable despite his commute challenges.

Knee InjuryMeniscus TearOsteoarthritisOvercompensation InjuryMedical Treatment AuthorizationTemporary Disability BenefitsCredibility DeterminationExpert Medical OpinionUtilization Review ChallengePanel Physician Presumption
References
8
Case No. ADJ3023725 (STK 0186210) ADJ 6853419
Regular
Mar 03, 2016

Why Was Removal Denied in Rush vs. California Correctional Institution?

This case concerns applicant Ignacio Roa's petition for reconsideration of a workers' compensation award finding 20% permanent disability for a right knee injury with 50% apportionment to nonindustrial factors. Roa also sought to establish an industrial injury to his left knee as a consequence of the right knee injury and a cumulative trauma injury to both knees, which the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied. The Board affirmed the judge's findings, relying on Dr. Henrichsen's opinion that Roa's left knee symptoms were due to the natural progression of prior surgery and wear, not industrial factors. A dissenting opinion argued for further medical development, finding persuasive evidence of industrial contribution to the left knee condition.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardIgnacio RoaRohrer BrothersFremont Compensation Insurance CompanyCIGAXL SpecialtyState Compensation Insurance Fundpermanent disabilityapportionmentnonindustrial factors
References
5
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

What Did the WCAB Clarify in Ontiveros vs. Savers Stores?

Claimant sustained work-related injuries to her left and right knees in 2007. The Workers' Compensation Board subsequently determined that her condition warranted a marked permanent partial disability classification, entitling her to continuing disability benefits rather than a schedule loss of use award. The employer and its workers' compensation carrier appealed this determination. The court affirmed the Board's decision, finding substantial evidence, including the claimant's orthopedic surgeon's testimony regarding crepitus, swelling, and severe pain, supported the marked permanent partial disability classification. Furthermore, the court concluded that the Board did not abuse its discretion in requiring additional proof concerning any overpayments made to the claimant.

Workers' CompensationPermanent Partial DisabilitySchedule Loss of UseKnee InjuriesAppellate ReviewSubstantial EvidenceMedical OpinionCredibility AssessmentOverpaymentsDisability Benefits
References
6
Case No. 2017-03-0206
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 29, 2017

Why Was Reconsideration Denied in Gomez vs. Dorothy Stevens?

This case involves Keith Cole, an employee, seeking medical and temporary disability benefits for a right knee injury allegedly sustained on September 7, 2016, at Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson. Cole claimed his left knee, previously injured at work, gave out, causing him to fall and injure his right knee. The employer and insurer disputed the claim, arguing a lack of timely and proper notice of the right knee injury. Workers' Compensation Judge Lisa A. Lowe reviewed the submitted evidence, including conflicting accounts of injury reporting and the absence of right knee complaints in post-injury medical records. The Court denied Cole's claim, concluding he failed to demonstrate a likelihood of prevailing on the merits regarding whether the right knee injury arose primarily out of and in the course of his employment.

Workers' CompensationExpedited HearingMedical Benefits DenialTemporary Disability BenefitsNotice of InjuryCausationRight Knee InjuryLeft Knee InjuryCourse and Scope of EmploymentMedical Certainty
References
1
Case No. ADJ4016735 (BAK 0147536)
Regular
Jun 11, 2012

Why Was Reconsideration Dismissed in Sabino vs. Johnson Pump Company?

This case involves an applicant seeking bilateral knee replacement surgery due to an admitted industrial back injury. The applicant argues the surgery is necessary to enable further treatment for her back, specifically a spinal cord stimulator. The defendants contested this, claiming the knee condition was independent and unrelated to the industrial injury. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, finding the knee surgery reasonably required to relieve the industrial back injury, citing *Bolton* and *Rowan*, even if the knee condition itself was not industrial. The Board rescinded prior findings, awarding the knee surgery and deferring issues of permanent disability and temporary disability.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationFindings of FactBilateral Knee ReplacementIndustrial InjuryBack InjurySpinal Cord StimulatorTemporary Total DisabilityPermanent and StationaryQualified Medical Evaluator
References
8
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