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

Case No. ADJ8691809
Regular
Apr 14, 2017

NICOLE BORAGNO vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, CDCR - CENTRAL CALIFORNIA WOMEN'S FACILITY CHOWCHILLA, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND/STATE CONTRACT SERVICES

This case involves Nicole Boragno's workers' compensation claim against the State of California, CDCR. The applicant sought reconsideration of a decision denying the admission of a supplemental medical report. The WCAB denied reconsideration, adopting the WCJ's report which found the supplemental report inadmissible. This was because discovery had closed at the mandatory settlement conference, and the defendant failed to establish good cause for introducing evidence not previously disclosed. The WCJ noted there was no change in circumstances to warrant the late-filed report, distinguishing it from precedent that allows such reports.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDPetition for Reconsiderationmandatory settlement conferencediscovery closureLabor Code section 5502(d)(3)good causesupplemental reportPQMEapportionmenttimeliness
References
2
Case No. ADJ8975338
Regular
Jun 21, 2017

Kevin Livingstone vs. ATI, American Insurance Company, ESIS

This case involves a defendant's attempt to strike a Qualified Medical Evaluator's (QME) report and obtain a replacement due to a 7-day delay in a supplemental report. The Appeals Board vacated its prior order granting reconsideration because the initial WCJ's order denying the strike was not a final order subject to reconsideration. The Board further denied the defendant's petition for removal, finding no irreparable harm. The ruling clarifies that only an untimely initial QME evaluation mandates replacement, whereas a late supplemental report is within the WCJ's discretion to address based on good cause.

WCABPetition for ReconsiderationPetition for RemovalQualified Medical EvaluatorQMESupplemental ReportTimelinessFinal OrderInterlocutory OrderAdministrative Director
References
14
Case No. ADJ7643460
Regular
May 01, 2017

Tracy Lee vs. XCHANGING, GRANITE STATES INSURANCE COMPANY, SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.

This case concerns Defendant's Petition for Removal seeking a new Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) panel due to a QME's untimely supplemental report. The Appeals Board denied the petition, finding Defendant failed to demonstrate substantial prejudice or irreparable harm. While the QME's report was late, Labor Code Section 4062.5 and Rule 31.5(a)(12) do not mandate replacement for untimely supplemental reports, making the decision discretionary. The WCJ's decision not to order a replacement was reasonable given the QME's extensive involvement and the lack of a mandatory replacement provision.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for RemovalQualified Medical EvaluatorQME panelsupplemental reportuntimelysubstantial prejudiceirreparable harmLabor Code section 4062.5Rule 31.5(a)(12)
References
5
Case No. ADJ8529720
Regular
Feb 06, 2017

ALEJANDRA GONZALEZ vs. 3M COMPANY, OLD REPUBLIC INSURANCE

This case concerns whether an untimely supplemental Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) report warrants a replacement panel. The applicant requested a new panel because the original QME's supplemental report was late. The WCJ denied the defendant's request to keep the original QME, finding the defendant waived objection by striking a name from the new panel. The Appeals Board granted removal, rescinded the WCJ's order, and remanded the case. The Board clarified that striking a name from a new panel does not automatically waive the right to object to its validity.

PQMESupplemental ReportReplacement PanelLabor Code 4062.5DWC Medical UnitDeclaration of ReadinessMSCWaiverAdministrative Director Rule 38Rule 31.5
References
0
Case No. ADJ1384238 (SAC 0366460)
Regular
Oct 09, 2017

ROSA VIRGEN vs. MACY'S WEST, MACY'S CORPORATE SERVICES-RISK MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied Macy's West's petition for removal, upholding the WCJ's decision not to grant a replacement Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME). The Board found that a late supplemental report alone does not mandate a replacement QME under LC 4062.5 or AD Rule 31.5(a)(12). Granting a replacement QME for untimely supplemental reporting is discretionary and requires a showing of good cause, which Macy's failed to demonstrate. The Appeals Board retains exclusive jurisdiction over the validity of replacement panels.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for RemovalQualified Medical EvaluationPQMEReplacement PanelMedical DirectorTimelinessSupplemental ReportGood CausePrejudice
References
4
Case No. ADJ9150447; ADJ9150446
Regular
Jun 24, 2016

PAUL CORRADO vs. AQUAFINE CORPORATION, ACE AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) dismissed the defendant's petition for reconsideration because the order sought to be reconsidered was interlocutory, not a final determination. The WCAB granted the defendant's petition for removal, rescinded the judge's order for a new Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) panel, and returned the case for further proceedings. This decision clarifies that while a QME's untimely supplemental report may be grounds for replacement, it does not automatically mandate it under Labor Code § 4062.5, requiring the judge to exercise discretion based on specific factors. The WCAB emphasized the importance of timely dispute resolution and that a late supplemental report alone is insufficient to order a new QME without considering other elements of prejudice and good cause.

WCABRemovalReconsiderationQME PanelSupplemental ReportLabor Code Section 4062.5Administrative Director Rule 38TimelinessInterlocutory OrderSubstantial Justice
References
10
Case No. ADJ9755370
Regular
Aug 10, 2017

BERNARDINO GARDEA vs. CITY OF PASADENA

This case concerns the City of Pasadena's request for reconsideration of a Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) decision regarding the applicant's occupational group number. The WCJ initially recommended dismissal of the reconsideration petition as untimely. However, the defendant has now requested leave to file a supplemental petition to address issues raised in the WCJ's report. The WCAB has granted the defendant's request to file this supplemental petition. The defendant is ordered to file the supplemental petition within 20 days, either by mail or via EAMS, to avoid rejection.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardSupplemental PetitionReconsiderationOccupational Group NumberAdministrative Law JudgePetition for ReconsiderationWCAB Rule 10848Electronic Adjudication Management SystemEAMSCity of Pasadena
References
0
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 21, 2006

Rivera v. Barnhart

Plaintiff Russell Rivera, Jr. challenged the Commissioner of Social Security's decision denying him Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The case was referred to Magistrate Judge Frank Maas, who issued a Report and Recommendation to remand the action for further administrative proceedings, citing deficiencies in the plaintiff's hearing. After defendant objected to a time limit, an Amended Report and Recommendation was issued, omitting the disputed time limitation. District Judge Richard J. Holwell, finding no clear error, adopted the Amended Report in its entirety, granting the Commissioner’s motion. The court's decision was based on the Administrative Law Judge's failure to fully develop the administrative record and adequately consider the treating physician’s opinion, Dr. Asbury, whose findings differed from a nonexamining medical consultant.

Social Security BenefitsSupplemental Security IncomeDisability DeterminationAdministrative Law Judge (ALJ) ReviewRemand OrderTreating Physician RuleMedical AssessmentHIV/AIDS ImpairmentHepatitis C DiagnosisProcedural Error
References
15
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 18, 1995

Miller v. Chater

Plaintiff initiated this action to seek review of the Secretary of Health and Human Services' decision establishing June 1, 1992, as the onset date for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits due to alleged disability from mental retardation. Magistrate Judge Carol E. Heckman issued a Report and Recommendation, advising denial of the Secretary's motion for judgment on the pleadings and remand for reconsideration. The Magistrate Judge found errors in the Administrative Law Judge's (ALJ) assessment of the plaintiff's functional limitations, particularly regarding social domain, and noted the ALJ's failure to consider the retroactivity inference from the Zebley class action stipulation. District Judge Arcara reviewed the Report and Recommendation, and with no objections filed, adopted its findings. Consequently, the defendant's motion for judgment on the pleadings was denied, and the case was remanded to the Secretary for further reconsideration, emphasizing a misapplication of post-Zebley requirements for adjudicating children’s SSI benefits claims.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Disability BenefitsMental RetardationChild Disability ClaimsAdministrative ReviewSocial Security ActAge-appropriate functioningMedical EvidenceFunctional LimitationsOnset Date
References
12
Case No. ADJ11280224
Regular
Oct 25, 2019

APRIL WILLIAMS vs. KERN COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and amended a prior order, finding the applicant is not entitled to a replacement Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) panel. The Board determined that the QME's supplemental report was timely because the initial request for the report was not received by the QME's office, and the subsequent fax request was within the statutory timeframe. Additionally, the Board revised a finding to reflect injury AOE/COE solely to the applicant's low back, deferring the issue of injury to other body parts. The Board noted that even if the report had been late, a replacement panel is not automatically mandated and requires a showing of good cause.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationQualified Medical EvaluatorReplacement QME PanelFindings of FactOrder and Opinion on DecisionDue ProcessMedical UnitSupplemental ReportMailing Presumption
References
8
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