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

Case No. SAC 0342537, SAC 0365636
Regular
Aug 04, 2008

JUDY HAMILTON vs. PLACER COUNTY WATER AGENCY, DISCOVER PROPERTY & CASUALTY, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, finding the WCJ inadvertently omitted a finding of industrial injury to the applicant's low back within the cumulative trauma. While upholding the denial of a specific low back injury claim, the Board corrected the cumulative trauma finding to include the low back. Furthermore, the Board removed the 50% apportionment of permanent disability for the low back due to insufficient medical evidence, ultimately increasing the applicant's permanent disability award.

Cumulative TraumaApportionmentCausationPermanent DisabilityLabor Code Section 4663Dr. YashrutiDr. GlanczWCJPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and Award
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Mandziara v. Lowe's Home Centers

In 1995, the claimant suffered a back injury in Pennsylvania, leading to a workers' compensation claim. After multiple surgeries, symptoms were resolved by June 2001. In May 2003, while working for Lowe's Home Centers in Broome County, the claimant re-injured their back, initiating a new claim. A Workers’ Compensation Law Judge and subsequently the Workers’ Compensation Board ruled that apportionment did not apply to the workers' compensation award. The appellate court affirmed this decision, holding that apportionment is a factual issue and the Board's determination was supported by substantial evidence. The court highlighted the claimant's asymptomatic period of over 14 months prior to the 2003 injury.

Workers' CompensationApportionmentBack InjuryPrior InjurySubstantial EvidenceAsymptomatic PeriodMedical OpinionCausal RelationshipAppeal
References
6
Case No. ADJ8883423; ADJ11327965
Regular
Feb 21, 2023

MICKEY THORNTON vs. NORTHWEST LINEMAN COLLEGE/GRID TRAINING CORPORATION, ALASKA NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY, LASSEN MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration to review the finding of "new and further disability" to the applicant's low back stemming from a 2013 cervical spine injury. The Board found the current medical evidence insufficient to establish a causal link between the 2013 injury and the low back condition. Therefore, the issue of new and further low back disability is deferred for further development of the record with substantial medical evidence. The Board stressed its duty to ensure substantial justice by not leaving undeveloped matters.

New and further disabilityReconsiderationStipulated awardAgreed medical evaluatorSubstantial evidenceMedical opinionRecord developmentCervical spineLow back injuryApportionment
References
5
Case No. ADJ7547124
Regular
Mar 27, 2017

JORGE VENCES vs. BORBON INC, HARTFORD UNDERWRITERS INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration of a prior decision denying a low back injury claim. The Board found that the Agreed Medical Examiner's deposition testimony, acknowledging a probable contribution of continuous work to the applicant's low back condition, constituted substantial evidence of injury arising out of and occurring in the course of employment. Consequently, the prior findings were rescinded, and a new finding establishing injury AOE/COE to the applicant's low back was substituted. All other issues were deferred.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and OrdersAdministrative Law JudgeCumulative Trauma InjuryAgreed Medical ExaminerSubstantial EvidenceAOE/COEInjury to Low BackAggravation of Preexisting Condition
References
10
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Avila v. St. Francis Hospital

In this Workers' Compensation case, the claimant, an orderly, sustained a low back injury in 1965 while employed by St. Francis Hospital. Initially diagnosed with a lumbo-sacral strain and an unstable back, a lump-sum settlement was approved in 1969 based on a mild causally related partial disability. Nearly a decade later, in 1978, the claimant applied to reopen the settlement due to severe leg pain and a confirmed extruded disc at L5-S1, requiring a laminectomy. The Workers’ Compensation Board reversed a Law Judge's finding, determining that there was a change in condition and degree of disability not contemplated at the time of the original settlement. The Special Fund for Reopened Cases appealed this decision, arguing against the reopening. The Appellate Division affirmed the Board's decision, citing that the definitive change from a mild disability to a herniated disc requiring surgery was an uncontemplated medical condition change, justifying the reopening under Workers’ Compensation Law § 15 (5-b).

Reopened CaseLump-Sum SettlementPermanent Partial DisabilityHerniated Lumbar DiscLaminectomyChange of ConditionUncontemplated Medical ConditionWorkers' Compensation Board DecisionAppellate ReviewMedical Evidence
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 13, 1992

Lowe v. State

Claimant Ronald Lowe, an inmate, sustained severe injuries at a correctional facility's sawmill due to the State's failure to provide adequate safety measures. He and his wife filed claims, with the Court of Claims finding the State 100% at fault and awarding damages. On appeal, the State argued claimant's negligence and claimants sought increased compensation. The appellate court affirmed the judgments, determining the claimant was not contributorily negligent given the hazardous work conditions and the inadequacy of tools provided. The court also found the damages awarded were appropriate, citing the claimant's prior work history and lack of substantial impact on his earning capacity due to the injury.

Inmate injuryCorrectional facility accidentSawmill accidentWorkplace safetyNegligence of StateDamages assessmentLost earningsComparative negligenceOSHA violationsAppellate review
References
10
Case No. SAC 256953, SAC 256954, SAC 256955
Regular

CAROL TORREZ vs. SUPERSHUTTLE, CLARENDON NATIONAL INSURANCE

This case involves cross-petitions for reconsideration concerning an applicant's workers' compensation claims for upper back/neck, low back, and upper extremity injuries sustained as an airport shuttle driver. The Appeals Board granted both applicant's and defendant's petitions, largely affirming the WCJ's findings but amending several clerical and factual errors. Key amendments include correcting defendant identification, clarifying stipulation regarding the low back injury, adjusting attorney fees and liens, and crediting EDD payments against temporary disability indemnity.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardSupershuttleClarendon National InsuranceCIGACalifornia Compensation Insurance Companyindustrial injuryupper backnecklow backcumulative trauma
References
0
Case No. ADJ1088522 (RIV 0015524)
Regular
Jan 03, 2013

SAMANTHA VAN DUINHOVEN vs. SPA HOTEL & CASINO, CALIFORNIA CASUALTY, Administered by GAB ROBINS NORTH AMERICA

This case involved an applicant who claimed industrial injury to her neck, back, left shoulder, psyche, and associated chronic pain syndrome, resulting in a finding of permanent total disability. The defendant sought reconsideration, arguing the medical evidence did not support injury to the low back or a diagnosis of chronic pain syndrome. The Appeals Board reversed the findings on the low back and chronic pain syndrome, finding no substantial evidence to support them. Consequently, the applicant's permanent disability award was amended to 70%, based on ratings for her neck, left shoulder, and psyche.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardPermanent Total DisabilityChronic Pain SyndromeAgreed Medical EvaluatorQualified Medical EvaluatorMedical Record ReviewIndustrial InjuryPermanent Disability Indemnity
References
0
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Searchfield v. Lowe's Home Centers, Inc.

This workers' compensation case addresses an employer's appeal concerning a claim for a causally-related right hip condition. The employer contended the claim was untimely, but the Workers' Compensation Board found it timely, noting that early medical reports indicated hip issues and the condition was initially misdiagnosed as a low back injury. The Board amended the original claim to reflect the accurate hip diagnosis, determining the claim was filed appropriately after the condition was properly identified in late 2007. The employer also disputed the causal link between the hip condition and the October 2005 accident. The Board sided with the claimant's physicians regarding causation, acknowledging that an independent medical expert, while disagreeing, conceded the possibility of misdiagnosis in such cases. Consequently, the Board's decision and amended decision were affirmed.

Workers' CompensationHip InjuryMisdiagnosisCausal RelationshipTimelinessMedical EvidenceBoard DecisionAppellate ReviewLabor LawClaim Amendment
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
May 31, 1988

Claim of Walker v. Fred H. Low & Son, Inc.

Claimant suffered low back injuries in 1974 and 1976, leading to workers' compensation claims. Awards for medical expenses and reduced earnings were made for the 1976 injury. The case for the 1974 injury was initially closed but later reopened by the Workers’ Compensation Board upon the carrier's application for apportionment. A WCLJ found permanent partial disability from the 1976 injury and closed the 1974 case again. On appeal by the employer and carrier, the Board affirmed a continued, causally related permanent partial disability for the 1976 accident and reversed the closing of the 1974 injury case, restoring both to the Trial Calendar. The appellate court affirmed the Board's amended decision, citing substantial medical evidence and rejecting the claim of voluntary withdrawal from the labor market.

Workers' CompensationPermanent Partial DisabilityApportionmentReopened CasesCausally Related DisabilityMedical TestimonyVoluntary WithdrawalLabor MarketAppellate ReviewBack Injury
References
4
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