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

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. ADJ6739372 ADJ6855448
Regular
Mar 04, 2013

KIMBERLY WESLEY BOSTON vs. COUNTY OF ALAMEDA, SEDGWICK CMS

The Appeals Board rescinded a prior award, finding insufficient medical evidence to support industrial causation for the applicant's gastrointestinal injuries. Dr. Hammerman's opinion was deemed not substantial medical evidence as he did not adequately explain how he reached a causation conclusion without an initially recommended endoscopy. The case is returned to the trial level for further medical development of the record regarding gastrointestinal complaints. The Board emphasized its duty to ensure substantial justice and develop undeveloped matters.

WCABADJ6739372ADJ6855448industrial injurypsychegastrointestinal systempermanent disabilitysubstantial medical evidenceagreed medical examinerconsulting physician
References
Case No. ADJ3726826
Regular
Mar 04, 2010

MARIBEL ESCOBAR vs. YGNACIO VALLEY CARE CENTER, CARE WEST INSURANCE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the defendant's petition for reconsideration, finding it timely filed. The Board affirmed the WCJ's finding that the applicant sustained industrial injuries to her lumbar spine and psyche, with compensable consequential injuries to her gastrointestinal system and a sleep disorder. Substantial medical evidence, including opinions from Dr. Cayton for the sleep disorder and Dr. Noriega for the gastrointestinal issues, supported the award. The Board also found Dr. Walcott's psychiatric opinion constituted substantial evidence, justifying the WCJ's disability findings.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardMaribel EscobarYgnacio Valley Care CenterCare West InsurancePegasus Risk ManagementFindings Award and OrderNursing AssistantIndustrial InjuriesLumbar SpinePsyche Injury
References
Case No. ADJ1991870
Regular
Sep 07, 2010

TOM DRENNAN vs. SUPERIOR INSPECTION SERVICES, FIREMAN'S FUND INSURANCE COMPANY

This case involves an employer's petition for reconsideration of a WCJ's award finding industrial injury to the applicant's left knee, both hips, and gastrointestinal system as consequential to an admitted right knee injury. The defendant argues that a prior 2005 WCJ decision denying consequential injury to the left knee and hips is res judicata. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, amending the award to remove the left knee and hip injuries, holding that the 2005 decision was final and the five-year time limit to reopen under Labor Code sections 5410 and 5804 had passed. The finding of consequential injury to the gastrointestinal system and 29% permanent disability remain affirmed.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationFindings and AwardCompensable ConsequencesRes JudicataIndustrial InjuryLeft KneeHipsGastrointestinal SystemPermanent Disability
References
Case No. ADJ6857476
Regular
Dec 10, 2019

MARIA DE LA VEGA vs. RALLY STAFFING, AMERICAN HOME ASSURANCE, BROADSPIRE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration to reduce applicant's permanent disability rating from 91% to 81%. The Board found the Agreed Medical Examiner's opinion regarding adding impairments rather than using the Combined Values Chart (CVC) lacked sufficient medical evidence. Defendants failed to meet their burden on apportionment for the gastrointestinal system. The award for permanent disability, life pension, and medical treatment was amended accordingly.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardRally StaffingAmerican Home AssuranceBroadspireMaria De La VegaPermanent DisabilityAgreed Medical ExaminerAMEDr. MajcherHypertension
References
Case No. ADJ4129353 (VNO 0559667)
Regular
Jun 09, 2010

DONALD GRIFFIN vs. CITY OF TORRANCE, Permissibly Self-Insured

This case involves a firefighter claiming industrial injury to hypertension, cardiovascular, spine, and gastrointestinal systems. The defendant sought reconsideration, arguing the WCJ erred in denying apportionment for the applicant's hypertensive heart disease and spine injury. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration, agreeing with the WCJ that the orthopedic apportionment by the Agreed Medical Examiner was too speculative. The Board also found the WCJ correctly relied on the internal medicine AME's opinion to conclude the hypertensive heart disease resulted from a single cumulative trauma period.

WCABADJ4129353VNO 0559667firefighterhypertensioncardiovascularspine injurygastrointestinalpermanent disabilityapportionment
References
Case No. ADJ7927883
Regular
May 22, 2015

JEFF JANZEN vs. CITY OF COSTA MESA, COSTA MESA FIRE DEPARTMENT

This case involves a fire captain's cumulative trauma claim for injuries to multiple body parts, including sinuses, lungs, and back. The employer, City of Costa Mesa, argued the claim was time-barred under Labor Code §5412. However, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board upheld the administrative law judge's decision, finding the applicant lacked knowledge of the cumulative nature of his injury until consulting an attorney. Therefore, the Board determined the statute of limitations did not bar the claim, as his disability was not known to be industrially caused until shortly before filing.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardJEFF JANZENCITY OF COSTA MESAPermissibly Self-InsuredFindings Award and Orderindustrial injurysinuseslungsskinneck
References
Case No. ADJ9785796
Regular
Oct 14, 2019

Victor Gonzalez vs. CITY OF TORRANCE

This case involves applicant Victor Gonzalez's petition for reconsideration of a WCJ's decision finding industrial injury to his back and left lower extremity, but not his psyche or in the form of stroke. The Board granted reconsideration, finding that the neurological evaluator applied an incorrect legal standard to the stroke claim and that Dr. Silver's deposition testimony was improperly excluded. Consequently, the Board amended the decision to preserve the findings of injury to the back and left lower extremity and denied injury to the psyche, while deferring the stroke and permanent disability issues for further development of the record.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardVictor GonzalezCity of Torrancebus operatorindustrial injuryback injuryleft lower extremitystrokepsycheDr. Lee Silver
References
Case No. ADJ3203306 (LAO 0871862)
Regular
Jul 13, 2011

Vanessa Bruce vs. SOUTHWEST HEALTHCARE MEDICAL, TRAVELERS

The applicant sought reconsideration of a Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) decision that found industrial injury to the lumbar spine but denied injury to the internal systems and sleep disorder. The applicant argued the WCJ erred by ignoring a stipulation for injury to the left lower extremity, hip, and buttocks, and by rejecting evidence of an industrially-caused sleep disorder. The WCAB granted reconsideration, amended the findings to include injury to the left lower extremity, left hip, and buttocks, but otherwise affirmed the original decision, finding no industrial basis for the sleep disorder.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationFindings and AwardIndustrial InjuryLumbar SpineInternal SystemsSleep DisorderLeft Lower ExtremityLeft HipButtocks
References
Case No. ADJ3767134 (VNO 0419005) ADJ195629 (VNO 0419004)
Regular
Mar 11, 2010

KATHY ROZA vs. DYNAMIC HOME CARE, INC., CLARENDON INSURANCE COMPANY, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, CREDIT GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied all petitions for reconsideration regarding an applicant's industrial injuries. The Board affirmed the original finding that the applicant sustained injuries to her low back and gastrointestinal system, but denied claims for psychological, hip, knee, and hypertension issues. The Board found no clerical error in the finding of gastrointestinal injury and clarified that Clarendon Insurance Company's obligation to pay permanent disability indemnity was distinct from CIGA's liability. Ultimately, the Board concluded that Clarendon's petition lacked merit and its obligation to pay the awarded permanent disability indemnity was clear.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCIGAClarendon Insurance CompanyCredit General Insurance Companyliquidationlicensed vocational nurseindustrial injurieslow back injurygastrointestinal system injurytemporary disability indemnity
References
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