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Case Law Database

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

Case No. ADJ8967361
Regular
Nov 26, 2014

FELIPE GARCIA (DECEASED) GUILLERMINA GARCIA (WIDOW) vs. SALVADOR GAYTAN dba G\&P AG MANAGEMENT CONTRACTORS, INC.; STAR INSURANCE, Adjusted by MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP

This case involved a petition for reconsideration by the applicant in a workers' compensation matter where the deceased worker, Felipe Garcia, was initially found to be an employee but later deemed an independent contractor by the Appeals Board. The applicant argued the Board erred by disregarding the WCJ's credibility assessment and by not applying Labor Code section 2750.5 to unlicensed contractors. The Board denied the petition, finding no evidence the deceased worker was engaged in activities requiring a contractor's license under Business and Professions Code sections 7000 and 7026. Therefore, Labor Code section 2750.5 was inapplicable, and the prior decision finding the applicant an independent contractor was upheld.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardIndependent contractorEmployee statusReconsiderationLabor Code section 2750.5Contractors' State License LawBlew v. HornerGarza v. Worker's Comp. Appeals Bd.Rinaldi v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.Unlicensed contractor
References
4
Case No. ADJ994369
Regular
Jan 19, 2014

JOSE JUAREZ vs. WATKINS MANUFACTURING CORPORATION

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) is reconsidering a decision that awarded the applicant medical mileage and a penalty for unreasonable delay in compensation payments but denied attorney's fees. The WCAB believes attorney's fees are warranted under Labor Code section 5814.5 for enforcing the payment of awarded compensation. The case is being returned to the trial level for the judge to determine and award these attorney's fees.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardMedical Mileage Expense ReimbursementAttorney's FeesLabor Code Section 5814Labor Code Section 5813Labor Code Section 5814.5Cumulative Industrial InjuryPulmonary System Injury
References
0
Case No. ADJ6616986; ADJ6603689; AD6616952
Regular
Aug 20, 2018

TERRY LEMBCKE vs. IVANHOE RANCH PARTNERS, LLC, HENRY GAMBOA

This case concerns Terry Lembcke's workers' compensation claims against Ivanhoe Ranch Partners, LLC and Henry Gamboa. The applicant alleged he was a statutory employee under Labor Code §2750.5 due to the nature of his work, which he claimed required contractor licenses that the defendants' entity lacked. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration of the WCJ's decision, adopting the WCJ's reasoning. The Board found that the defendants failed to rebut the presumption of employment under Labor Code §2750.5.

Statutory employeeLabor Code 2750.5Petition for ReconsiderationUninsured Employers Benefit Trust FundIvanhoe Ranch Partners LLCHenry Gamboawillful misconductindependent contractor statuscontractor's licenserebuttable presumption
References
1
Case No. ADJ13119319
Regular
Jul 07, 2025

LUIS CALDERA vs. PORTUGUESE FRATERNAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA/SES HALL, OAK RIVER INSURANCE

The defendant sought reconsideration of a finding that the applicant was an employee when he sustained a left wrist injury. The defendant contended the employment finding was contrary to law, unsupported by evidence, and that the WCJ misapplied Labor Code section 2750.5 and failed to consider Borello factors. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration, adopting the WCJ's report. The report affirmed the WCJ's findings, noting the applicant's credibility and the defendant's failure to rebut the employment presumption, particularly regarding the applicant's lack of a contractor's license as required by Labor Code section 2750.5.

WCABPetition for ReconsiderationEmployment StatusIndependent ContractorLabor Code Section 2750.5Borello FactorsSubstantial EvidencePresumption of EmploymentControl and SupervisionBusiness License
References
13
Case No. AHM 108812 AHM 108813 AHM 108814
Regular
Nov 06, 2007

OLIVIA ZAVALA vs. METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT

This case involves an award of attorney's fees under Labor Code § 5801 following a successful defense against the defendant's Petition for Writ of Review. The Court of Appeal remanded the matter for the Board to determine reasonable attorney's fees for the applicant's counsel's services. The applicant's attorney requested $5,171.89, but both parties ultimately stipulated to a total of $5,000.00 for attorney's fees and appellate costs.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardAttorney's FeeLabor Code § 5801Petition for Writ of ReviewCourt of AppealStipulationAppellate CostsMetropolitan Water DistrictReasonable Attorney's Fees
References
1
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Pardo v. Bialystoker Center & Bikur Cholim, Inc.

The plaintiff appealed two orders from the Supreme Court, New York County. The first order, dated September 12, 2002, and the second, dated February 27, 2003, had denied the plaintiff's motion for partial summary judgment on liability under Labor Law § 240 (1) and precluded him from asserting Labor Law claims at trial concerning the alleged failure of defendants to secure a scaffold with "tie-ins." The appellate court modified the lower court's orders, vacating the provisions that barred the plaintiff from offering evidence regarding the defendants' alleged failure to use tie-ins. The court affirmed the orders in all other respects. It emphasized that under Labor Law § 240 (1), a plaintiff only needs to demonstrate that injuries were partially attributable to the defendant's failure to implement statutorily mandated safety measures to protect against elevation-related risks. The court also clarified that contributory negligence is irrelevant in such cases. The plaintiff's belated request to plead a violation of Industrial Code § 23-5.8 (g) was denied due to an unequivocal waiver of his Labor Law § 241 (6) cause of action.

Labor LawScaffold SafetySummary JudgmentElevation HazardsProximate CauseContributory NegligenceTie-insWorkplace AccidentStatutory Safety MeasuresAppellate Decision
References
7
Case No. ADJ4140574 (VNO 0417628) ADJ3588068 (VNO 0472981)
Regular
Jun 03, 2013

KEVIN THOMPSON vs. COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, TRISTAR RISK MANAGEMENT

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board awarded applicant Kevin Thompson an additional attorney's fee of $1,500 under Labor Code section 5801. This fee is for services rendered by his attorney in successfully defending against the defendant's petition for writ of review to the Court of Appeal. The Board disallowed the requested clerical fees as section 5801 applies only to attorney services. Additionally, the request for costs under Labor Code section 5811 was denied due to the lack of required itemization and supporting documentation.

Labor Code § 5801Attorney's feePetition for Writ of ReviewAppeals BoardSupplemental awardReasonable attorney's feeAppellate levelPenaltyClerical servicesLabor Code § 5811
References
12
Case No. ADJ4115370 (STK 0156243) ADJ2590810 (STK 0156247) ADJ7935132
Regular
Sep 05, 2013

DONALD MAGHUYOP vs. HULL'S WALNUT CREEK CHAPEL, MID-CENTURY INSURANCE COMPANY

This case involves an award of additional attorney's fees under Labor Code § 5801 following a successful Petition for Writ of Review. The Court of Appeal remanded the case for the Board to determine reasonable fees for applicant's attorneys. Applicant's attorney sought $10,625.00 for 25 hours of work plus costs. The Board awarded $9,137.50 in attorney's fees, disallowing 3.5 hours for clerical tasks, and awarded the requested $529.00 in costs, for a total of $9,666.50.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardLabor Code § 5801Petition for Writ of ReviewSupplemental AwardAttorney's FeeAppellate CostsPermanent DisabilityCourt of AppealClerical TimeLien Claimants
References
3
Case No. ADJ10146503
Regular
Oct 20, 2018

ALAN KOON vs. RZ PLUMBING, INC.; AMTRUST

This case concerns an award of attorney's fees and costs to applicant's attorney, Robert Rassp, pursuant to Labor Code section 5801. The Second District Court of Appeals had previously remanded the matter for this purpose. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board reviewed Rassp's request for 13.25 hours of work and $865.59 in costs, totaling $6,165.59. The Board disallowed two hours of travel time due to lack of clarity on the reasonableness and nature of the activity. Ultimately, the Board awarded Rassp a total of $5,365.59 in attorney's fees and costs.

Labor Code section 5801attorney's feescostsremandWorkers' Compensation Appeals Boardbill of particularsreasonableness of feestravel time deductionawarded amounttrial level return
References
0
Case No. ADJ3905674 (SRO 0031254)
Regular
Feb 02, 2011

DAVID PELLETIER vs. UNITED STRUCTURES, INC., CIGA by its Servicing Facility CAMBRIDGE on behalf of FREMONT COMPENSATION, in liquidation

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration of its decision regarding attorney's fees. The applicant's attorney sought fees under Labor Code sections 4607 and 5814.5, arguing the defendant unreasonably failed to appoint a new case manager and pay prior bills. The Board affirmed the judge's finding that Labor Code § 4607 fees are inapplicable when the entire award is not terminated, and Labor Code § 5814.5 fees require an existing award and unreasonable refusal to pay. The Board found no evidence of unreasonable delay by the defendant in appointing a new case manager, thus denying the petition.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationAttorney's FeesLabor Code Section 4607Labor Code Section 5814.5Medical TreatmentCompromise and ReleasePetition for PenaltyNurse Case ManagerStipulations
References
2
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