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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. 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 The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr.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. ADJ8210063
Significant

Grace Nunes, Applicant vs. State of California, DEPT. OF MOTOR VEHICLES, Legally Uninsured; STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND, Adjusting Agency, Defendants

The Appeals Board denied the applicant's Petition for Reconsideration, affirming its prior en banc decision that vocational evidence cannot substitute for valid medical apportionment from a physician, as mandated by Labor Code section 4663.

Labor Code Section 4663Vocational ApportionmentMedical ApportionmentPermanent DisabilityQualified Medical EvaluatorSubstantial EvidencePetition for ReconsiderationEn Banc DecisionWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardApportionment Analysis
References
Case No. ADJ1555118 (SAC 0336524) ADJ4532833 (SBR 0341290) ADJ457150 (SBR 0341294)
Regular
Jun 07, 2010

CLYTAN GUSMAN vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION, Legally Uninsured, Adjusted BY STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The WCAB granted reconsideration of a prior award finding 82% permanent disability due to industrial injuries to the applicant's psyche and internal systems. The primary reason for rescission was that the expert psychiatric evaluator applied an incorrect legal theory regarding apportionment of psyche disability by failing to consider non-work-related factors that are now apportionable under SB 899. The case is returned to the trial level for further development of the record, specifically concerning apportionment of psyche disability and potential consolidation of injury dates into a single cumulative trauma. The Board also instructed the WCJ to ensure the evidentiary record complies with exhibit listing rules.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCautan GusmanState of California Department of Corrections and RehabilitationLegally UninsuredState Compensation Insurance FundPsyche disabilityHeart disabilityInternal systems disabilityPermanent disabilityApportionment
References
Case No. ADJ8210063; ADJ8621818
En Banc
Aug 29, 2023

GRACE NUNES vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPT. OF MOTOR VEHICLES, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the applicant's petition for reconsideration, affirming its prior en banc decision that permanent disability apportionment must be based on a physician's medical evaluation as mandated by Labor Code section 4663, and that vocational evidence cannot substitute an impermissible 'vocational apportionment' in place of a valid medical apportionment.

VOCATIONAL APPORTIONMENTMEDICAL APPORTIONMENTPERMANENT DISABILITYQUALIFIED MEDICAL EVALUATORLABOR CODE SECTION 4663SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCEAPPEALS BOARD EN BANCFINDINGS OF FACT AND AWARDFINAL ORDERRECONSIDERATION DENIED
References
Case No. ADJ7894308; ADJ7661229; ADJ9465603
Regular
Aug 20, 2025

Assadour Assadourian vs. Ari G. Minassian School, State Compensation Insurance Fund, Church Mutual Insurance Company

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board reviewed the Findings of Fact, Award and Order concerning Assadour Assadourian's industrial injury claims against Ari G. Minassian School and its insurers. The Board affirmed that contract non-renewal constituted an actual event of employment for psychiatric injury claims. However, it rejected the "pass-through" apportionment from cardiac conditions to psychiatric and sleep-related disabilities, deeming the medical opinions legally unsustainable. Consequently, the Board amended the permanent disability award to 78 percent, reserving jurisdiction to the WCJ for attorney's fees adjustments.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationFindings of FactAward and OrderIndustrial InjuryCardiovascular SystemPsycheSleep DisorderUrologic SystemSexual Dysfunction
References
Case No. SAC 339641, SAC 352335
Regular
Dec 21, 2007

Richard D. Smith vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION; Legally Uninsured, c/o STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and rescinded the prior decision due to questions about the Agreed Medical Examiner's (AME) apportionment of permanent disability. The applicant argued the AME's opinion was based on an incorrect legal theory and lacked substantial evidence, as it mischaracterized prior treatment and failed to adequately account for the cumulative trauma injury. The Board remanded the case for further development of the record, specifically requesting a follow-up opinion from the AME regarding the 25% apportionment.

WCABReconsiderationApportionmentAgreed Medical ExaminerCumulative TraumaSpecific InjuryPermanent DisabilityIndustrial InjuryLegally UninsuredState Compensation Insurance Fund
References
Case No. ADJ16389400
Regular
Apr 01, 2025

JOHNNY LUNETTA vs. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

Applicant Johnny Lunetta sought reconsideration of a Findings and Award concerning permanent disability and apportionment, with the defendant California Department of Transportation arguing for apportionment to previous injuries. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) reviewed the petition, answer, and WCJ's report. Based on a preliminary review, the WCAB granted the petition for reconsideration to allow further study of the factual and legal issues, particularly regarding medical-legal reporting and apportionment. A final decision on the merits of the reconsideration is deferred pending further review and consideration of the entire record.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFirst Amended Findings and AwardApportionmentPermanent DisabilityArising Out of and in the Course of EmploymentAOE/COEBilateral KneesHeavy Equipment MechanicLegally Uninsured
References
Case No. ADJ1237800 (AHM0151777)
Regular
Jan 22, 2016

KENNETH ROSENBERG vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL DISABILITY AND RETIREMENT, Legally Uninsured, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND/STATE CONTRACT SERVICES, Adjusting Agency

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration to clarify clerical errors in a previous award. The Board amended the award to reflect that the defendant, California Highway Patrol, is "legally uninsured" and affirmed the application of the "duty belt" presumption (Labor Code section 3213.2). The Board also affirmed the finding of $43\%$ permanent disability, temporary disability, and the denial of apportionment, finding that the defendant waived any due process claims regarding temporary disability by not objecting at trial.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCalifornia Highway PatrolLegally UninsuredState Compensation Insurance FundPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardAdministrative Law JudgePermissibly Self-InsuredLow Back InjuryLeft Shoulder Injury
References
Case No. ADJ3332763 (OAK 0340542)
Regular
Mar 27, 2009

AUGUSTINE SCOTT vs. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, Legally Uninsured, Adjusted By SEDGWICK CMS/UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA OFFICE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration of a prior award finding 51% permanent disability without apportionment. The Board found the primary treating physician's apportionment reports insufficient as substantial evidence because they were conclusory and lacked adequate reasoning regarding causation. Consequently, the Board rescinded the award and returned the case to the trial level for further development of the medical record, particularly concerning apportionment. This may involve obtaining supplemental opinions or appointing an Agreed Medical Evaluator.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardAugustine ScottUniversity of CaliforniaOffice of the PresidentLegally UninsuredSedgwick CMSSenior Data ProcessorProduction CoordinatorIndustrial InjuryHands
References
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