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Case Law Database

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

Case No. ADJ9625407
Regular
Sep 12, 2018

KEITH FIELD vs. CITY OF PINOLE

This case involves a firefighter who sustained bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome after retirement. The Appeals Board reversed the trial judge, holding that Labor Code section 4458.5 applies, entitling the applicant to permanent disability benefits calculated at the maximum indemnity rate. This applies regardless of the applicant's actual earnings or the fact that carpal tunnel syndrome is not a specifically enumerated presumptive injury. The case is remanded for determination of the precise date of injury to calculate the benefit rate.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardKeith FieldCity of PinolePermissibly Self-InsuredMunicipal Pooling AuthorityADJ9625407Opinion and Decision After Reconsiderationindustrial injuryfirefighterbilateral upper extremities
References
Case No. ADJ7232076
En Banc
Sep 26, 2011

Tsegay Messele vs. Pitco Foods, Inc.; California Insurance Company

The Appeals Board holds that the 10-day period for agreeing on an AME under Labor Code § 4062.2(b) is extended by five days when the initial proposal is served by mail, and clarifies the method for calculating this time period, finding both parties' panel requests premature.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardTsegay MesselePitco FoodsInc.California Insurance CompanyADJ7232076Opinion and Decision After ReconsiderationOrder Granting RemovalDecision After RemovalEn Banc
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 The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr.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. 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. ADJ10256108, ADJ10255968, ADJ10256212, ADJ10256223, ADJ10489875
Regular
Sep 23, 2022

JOSEPH RYAN vs. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Appeals Board affirmed the finding of permanent and total disability for the applicant, Joseph Ryan, stemming from industrial injuries sustained while employed as a correctional captain. However, the Board remanded the matter for further proceedings to specifically address apportionment of the permanent disability under Labor Code section 4663, considering the Agreed Medical Evaluator's opinion on pre-existing spinal disease. The Board found that the applicant's specific and cumulative trauma injuries to his spine resulted in intertwined disabilities, justifying a combined award, but that Dr. Hasday's apportionment findings require further development and determination at the trial level.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardJoseph RyanCalifornia Department of CorrectionsLegally UninsuredState Compensation Insurance FundADJ10256108ADJ10255968ADJ10256212ADJ10256223ADJ10489875
References
Case No. ADJ3849140 (RDG 0119253)
Regular
Apr 04, 2011

THEMAS TRESLER vs. MOUNTAIN SATELLITE, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case involves a dispute over workers' compensation jurisdiction regarding a left shoulder injury. The defendant, SCIF, sought reconsideration of a WCJ's award of treatment for the shoulder, arguing lack of jurisdiction. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the prior award, and returned the matter for further proceedings. This decision acknowledges that the left shoulder claim may not have been definitively resolved by prior stipulations and requires the WCJ to determine if Labor Code section 5815 applies, potentially leading to a full hearing on the shoulder injury.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardIndustrial InjuryLow Back InjuryLeft Shoulder InjuryStipulation with Request for AwardDeclaration of Readiness to ProceedContinuing JurisdictionLabor Code Section 5909
References
Case No. ADJ7516212
Regular
Feb 07, 2020

MARIO CALDERON vs. STARWOOD WORLDWIDE, AMERICA, HOTELS INC.;, AND ZURICH NORTH DEPARTMENTS., DEPARTMENTS.

This case involves Mario Calderon, who sought reconsideration of a Workers' Compensation Appeals Board award for a cumulative trauma injury. Calderon argued for 100% permanent disability, claiming medication dependence prevented him from competing in the labor market, and cited vocational evidence for total disability. The Board affirmed the original award of 43% permanent disability, relying on the WCJ's report and clarifying that permanent total disability findings must follow Labor Code section 4660 and AMA Guides, not Labor Code section 4662(b). Consequently, Calderon's petition for reconsideration was denied.

Cumulative traumaLumbar spineRadiculopathyBilateral lower extremitiesCervical spinePsychePermanent disabilityApportionmentNarcotic medicationsLabor market competition
References
Case No. ADJ3133261 (VNO 0400017)
Regular
Aug 17, 2010

FELIPE TOLENTINO vs. CONCO CEMENT, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, XCHANGING INC., FREMONT COMPENSATION

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) dismissed the lien claimant's petition for reconsideration as premature. The WCAB granted the defendant's petition for reconsideration regarding the temporary disability overpayment issue, deferring it for further proceedings. The Board affirmed the WCJ's findings on injury causation and permanent disability but amended the decision to clarify the overpayment issue. Finally, the WCAB issued a notice of intention to sanction defendant's counsel for attaching and citing unadmitted evidence.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardFELIPE TOLENTINOCONCO CEMENTCALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATIONXCHANGING INC.FREMONT COMPENSATIONliquidationADJ3133261VNO 0400017OPINION AND ORDERS DISMISSING PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION AND GRANTING PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION
References
Case No. ADJ1191428 (LBO 0310118)
Regular
Aug 09, 2010

RUBEN GOMEZ-SOTO vs. NMI, INC.

Here's a summary of the case for a lawyer in four sentences: The Appeals Board granted removal, modifying the WCJ's order to require the defendant to produce *all* medical reports in its possession to the lien claimant, not just those intended for reliance, pursuant to CCR $\S 10608$. The Board struck the WCJ's provision requiring the lien claimant to prove market rate for interpreters, finding the issue was not properly before the judge. While the lien claimant alleged WCJ bias, the Board found no sufficient evidence of enmity or prejudice based on the record. The case was returned to the trial level for further proceedings consistent with the Appeals Board's decision.

RemovalLien ClaimantWCJ OrderMedical ReportsMarket RateInterpreter FeesBiasDisqualification8 Cal. Code Reg. 10608Labor Code 5710
References
Case No. ADJ3317169 (FRE 0210465); ADJ2130054 (FRE 0162261); ADJ4055925 (FRE 0210461); ADJ728821 (FRE 0210462); ADJ2475719 (FRE 0210463); ADJ3052880 (FRE 0226010); ADJ207659 (FRE 0210464)
Regular
May 21, 2025

Earl Meyers vs. Fresno Unified School District, CNA Claims Plus

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) affirmed the Workers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge's (WCJ) June 9, 2021, Joint Findings of Fact, Award, and Opinion on Decision. The WCJ had found the applicant, Earl Meyers, to be 100% permanently totally disabled due to multiple industrial injuries precluding him from vocational rehabilitation and competing in the open labor market. Defendant, Fresno Unified School District, petitioned for reconsideration, arguing misapplication of Labor Code sections 4662 and 4663 regarding apportionment and insufficient evidence for total disability. The Board, reviewing medical and vocational expert opinions, concluded that the defendant failed to provide substantial medical evidence for apportionment of the applicant's work restrictions to non-industrial causes, thereby upholding the 100% permanent total disability finding.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardJoint Findings of FactAwardOpinion on DecisionPetition for Reconsiderationvocational rehabilitationopen labor marketpermanent total disabilityapportionmentLabor Code Section 4662
References
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