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Case Law Database

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

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 The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr.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. ADJ9170309
Regular
Nov 03, 2025

Miguel Mosqueda vs. City of Clearlake

Applicant Miguel Mosqueda sought reconsideration of a July 25, 2025 decision which found his injuries were not caused by the employer's serious and willful misconduct or violation of safety orders. Mosqueda, a maintenance worker, suffered catastrophic injuries, including paraplegia, after falling from a ladder while trimming a tree for the City of Clearlake. He contended that the employer violated several Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8 sections related to safety, training, and equipment. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, adopting the WCJ's report, denied the petition for reconsideration, concluding that the employer's actions did not constitute serious and willful misconduct and that no alleged safety violation was the proximate cause of the accident.

Serious and willful misconductPetition for reconsiderationFindings and OrderViolation of statuteViolation of safety orderCal. Code Regs. tit. 8 § 3203Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8 § 3276(d)(1)Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8 § 3276(e)(15)Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8 § 3421(b)Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8 § 3421(d)
References
Case No. ADJ3445477 (RDG 0108598)
Regular
Apr 21, 2011

DENNIS NEWELL (Deceased) DEBORAH NEWELL (Widow) vs. FORD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, MAJESTIC INSURANCE COMPANY

This case concerns a widow's claim for death benefits due to an alleged Serious and Willful Misconduct by the employer, Ford Construction Company. The Appeals Board previously rescinded a decision finding such misconduct. The applicant now seeks reconsideration, arguing the Board's prior decision was inconsistent with an appellate court ruling concerning specific OSHA Safety Orders. The Board granted reconsideration, concluding that the applicant waived the issue of Safety Order 4999(b)(1) and that, despite the appellate court's mention of Safety Order 5042(a)(6) without a specific finding, the overall appellate decision negated the Serious and Willful claim. Therefore, the Board affirmed its prior decision and amended a finding to explicitly state no violation of Safety Order 5042 occurred.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardSerious and Willful MisconductLabor Code 4553Labor Code 4553.1Safety Order 5002Safety Order 4999(b)(1)Safety Order 5042(a)(6)RemittiturFindings and AwardRes Judicata
References
Case No. ADJ4214070 (VNO 0470391) ADJ2500750 (VNO 0552466)
Regular
Dec 12, 2011

CINDY MORAN-PRUITT vs. ANTELOPE VALLEY HOSPITAL, Safety National, Traveler's Insurance Company, Frontier Insurance Company

This case involves a dispute over workers' compensation contribution between Safety National and Travelers Insurance Company. Safety National sought reconsideration of an arbitrator's decision finding them liable for a portion of the applicant's injury. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration because the arbitrator's decision lacked a required Minutes of Hearing and Summary of Evidence, preventing a proper review. The Board found the record incomplete and returned the case to the trial level for further proceedings and a decision that complies with procedural requirements.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardSafety NationalTravelers Insurance Companyindustrial injurycontributionuntimely filedinjurious exposurecumulative traumadue processMinutes of Hearing
References
Case No. ADJ1875496
Regular
Oct 30, 2009

KENNETH PATTERSON vs. ROSSCRETE ROOFING, INC., STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The WCAB denied reconsideration of a WCJ's finding that the applicant's injury was not caused by serious and willful misconduct by the employer. A commissioner dissented, arguing that the employer's failure to provide safety equipment constituted serious and willful misconduct.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardSerious and Willful MisconductLabor Code section 4553Industrial Accident CommissionEmployer's DutySafety PrecautionsKnown DangerReckless DisregardCal/OSHA CitationRule 3210(c)
References
Case No. ADJ1099822 (LAO 0828806)
Regular
Jan 20, 2010

CLAUDIO SOTO vs. RAMON VERDIN

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and reversed a prior award finding serious and willful misconduct by the employer, Ramon Verdin. The Board determined that the applicant failed to meet the burden of proof required by Labor Code section 4553.1. Specifically, the evidence did not sufficiently establish that the absence of a miter saw guard was the proximate cause of the applicant's injury. Furthermore, the employer's knowledge of the safety violation or the obviousness of the dangerous condition, as required by statute, was not adequately proven on this record.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardSerious and Willful MisconductLabor Code Section 4553.1Safety Standard ViolationMiter Saw GuardProximate CauseIndustrial InjuryFindings and AwardReconsiderationOpinion and Order
References
Case No. ADJ8349042
Regular
Nov 25, 2019

CARLOS REYES vs. PALM DESERT DOORS AND HARDWARE, PRAETORIAN INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration to review a WCJ's finding that the employer did not engage in serious and willful misconduct. The WCAB rescinded the original decision, finding material factual discrepancies between the WCJ's findings and the evidence, particularly regarding the necessity of gloves and the feasibility of using a safety guard. The case is remanded for further proceedings, including allowing the applicant to amend their petition to include theories based on OSHA violations and presenting arguments and evidence on that issue. The WCAB also clarified that failure to specifically plead OSHA violations in the pretrial conference statement does not constitute a waiver of the right to raise such issues.

Serious and Willful MisconductLabor Code section 4553Occupational Safety and HealthCal/OSHAWCJFindings and OrderPetition for ReconsiderationCompromise and Releasetable sawsafety guard
References
Case No. SAC 316687
Regular
Feb 28, 2008

STEVE OLSON vs. DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case involves a correctional lieutenant claiming cumulative industrial injury to his heart, hypertension, diabetes, and GERD. The original decision apportioned 80% of his permanent disability to non-industrial causes, but the Appeals Board rescinded this. The Board determined that Labor Code section 4663(e) exempts safety officers like the applicant from apportionment for presumed injuries, and the calculation of permanent disability indemnity must now follow the *Brodie/Welcher* standard.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardSAC 316687Steve OlsonDepartment of CorrectionsState Compensation Insurance FundOpinion and Decision After Reconsiderationcorrectional lieutenantcumulative industrial injuryhearthypertension
References
Case No. ADJ1323538 (SAC 0305102)
Regular
Jul 20, 2010

BRUCE LOCKWOOD vs. C.C. MEYERS, INC., C.C. MEYERS, AN INDIVIDUAL

This case involves an applicant seeking increased compensation due to serious and willful misconduct by his employer, C.C. Meyers, Inc. The applicant sustained significant injuries when an excavator ran over his foot, leading to its amputation. The Appeals Board overturned the Workers' Compensation Judge's denial, finding that the employer's failure to provide a spotter for the excavator constituted serious and willful misconduct. This failure to provide a spotter, coupled with the employer's knowledge of the risks and intentional disregard for safety, was determined to be a proximate cause of the applicant's injury. As a result, the applicant's compensation will be increased by one-half.

Serious and Willful MisconductEmployer LiabilityIndustrial InjuryProximate CauseSafe Place of EmploymentFailure to Provide SpotterExcavator SafetyCalOSHA Safety Order 1592ReconsiderationWorkers' Compensation Appeals Board
References
Case No. ADJ14015513
Regular
Feb 15, 2023

BRADEN NANEZ vs. 3 STONEDEGGS, INC., TECHNOLOGY INSURANCE COMPANY, AMTRUST NORTH AMERICA

The Appeals Board rescinded the initial Findings and Order, finding the applicant's petition for reconsideration was timely due to defective service. The Board applied the commercial traveler rule, determining the applicant's injury arose out of and in the course of employment. The claim is not barred by the going and coming rule or intoxication, and the applicant sustained a fractured right femur. Issues of traumatic brain injury and bruised lung are deferred for further proceedings.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationOpinion and DecisionFindings and OrderApplicantEmployerAdjustedAdjudication NumberRedding District OfficeInjury Arising Out of and In the Course of Employment (AOE/COE)
References
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