CompFox Logo
AboutWorkflowFeaturesPricingCase LawInsights

Updated Daily

Case Law Database

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

Case No. ADJ7673518, ADJ7647749
Regular
Jan 23, 2015

ANA DE AYALA vs. AO-THE UNIVERSITY CORPORATION / CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY NORTHRIDGE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and reversed a prior ruling, finding the applicant sustained industrial injury to her neck. While the applicant testified to injuring her neck in a workplace incident and this was partially corroborated, the Board found insufficient evidence for other claimed injuries. The Board specifically disagreed with the administrative law judge's credibility assessment concerning the neck injury itself, relying on medical reports and testimony supporting the neck injury claim. The Board affirmed the denial of claims for all other alleged injuries, finding insufficient medical evidence to link them to the incident.

Petition for ReconsiderationFindings and OrderIndustrial InjuryNeck InjuryBack InjurySpine InjuryUpper ExtremitiesPsycheGastroesophageal SystemInternal System
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 The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr.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. 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. ADJ2552674 (STK 0182074), ADJ2434993 (LAO 0814353), ADJ815249 (STK 0199201)
Regular
Jan 24, 2012

CARLOS GASCA vs. HOWARD MARTIN FARMS, CIGA through its servicing facility INTERCARE INSURANCE for PAULA INSURANCE, in liquidation, CALIFORNIA INDEMNITY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board rescinded the prior award and remanded the case for further proceedings. The Board found that Dr. Abelow's medical opinion lacked substantial evidence due to factual inaccuracies and assumptions, particularly regarding the applicant's injury causation and apportionment. Additionally, Dr. Kimmel's psychiatric opinion failed to meet legal causation standards, deferring to orthopedic findings. The lien claimant's contentions will be reviewed anew by the WCJ upon remand.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCarlos GascaHoward Martin FarmsCIGAIntercare InsurancePaula InsuranceCalifornia IndemnityJoint Findings and AwardAdministrative Law JudgeReconsideration
References
Case No. ADJ3339526
Regular
Oct 14, 2008

Jeffrey Zajdel vs. CALIPATRIA STATE PRISON, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration to address the issue of apportionment of the applicant's permanent disability due to a heart and brain injury. The Board rescinded the prior decision that apportioned 50% of the disability to non-industrial factors, finding the medical opinion supporting apportionment speculative and not based on established legal principles. Consequently, the Board issued a new award for 100% permanent disability without apportionment and reinstated the applicant's attorney's fees based on this higher award.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDJEFFREY ZAJDELCALIPATRIA STATE PRISONSTATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUNDADJ3339526VNO 0491968OPINION AND ORDER GRANTING RECONSIDERATIONSUPPLEMENTAL FINDINGS AND AWARDINDUSTRIAL INJURYHEART INJURY
References
Case No. ADJ3885285 (FRE 0248529) ADJ3795787 (FRE 0247126)
Regular
Dec 30, 2008

Larry Shores vs. CITY OF MADERA; ACCLAMATION FRESNO

This case concerns a worker's compensation claim for a back and spine injury sustained by Larry Shores. The Board granted reconsideration, rescinded sanctions imposed on the defendant for litigation tactics, and rescinded a penalty for delayed temporary disability payments. However, it otherwise affirmed the finding of industrial injury, awarded penalties for unreasonable delay in medical treatment, and upheld the need for ongoing medical care, including surgery.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardLarry ShoresCity of MaderaAcclamation FresnoADJ3885285ADJ3795787Opinion and Order Granting ReconsiderationFindings and AwardWCJIndustrial Injury
References
Case No. ADJ8128282
Regular
Jan 23, 2014

ANGELA EGBIKUADJE vs. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATIONS, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and rescinded a prior award, returning the case for further proceedings. The defendant, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, argued that the applicant's psychiatric injury claim was preempted by the ADA and not proven under Labor Code section 3208.3. The Board found the original decision lacked proper analysis regarding predominant industrial causation and the good faith personnel action defense. Therefore, the case was remanded for further development of the record, including expert medical opinion on these issues.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardAngela EgbikuadjeCalifornia Department of Corrections and RehabilitationLegally UninsuredState Compensation Insurance FundADJ8128282Van Nuys District OfficeReconsiderationFindings and AwardIndustrial cumulative trauma injury
References
Case No. ADJ8210063; ADJ8621818
En Banc
Aug 29, 2023

GRACE NUNES vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPT. OF MOTOR VEHICLES, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the applicant's petition for reconsideration, affirming its prior en banc decision that permanent disability apportionment must be based on a physician's medical evaluation as mandated by Labor Code section 4663, and that vocational evidence cannot substitute an impermissible 'vocational apportionment' in place of a valid medical apportionment.

VOCATIONAL APPORTIONMENTMEDICAL APPORTIONMENTPERMANENT DISABILITYQUALIFIED MEDICAL EVALUATORLABOR CODE SECTION 4663SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCEAPPEALS BOARD EN BANCFINDINGS OF FACT AND AWARDFINAL ORDERRECONSIDERATION DENIED
References
Case No. ADJ2163806 (SAL 0113819)
Regular
Sep 27, 2010

BRUCE BLACKMON vs. MONTEREY PENINSULA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, Permissibly Self-Insured, Adjusted by KEENAN & ASSOCIATES, AMERICAN PLUMBING, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND, SELCO, INC., and SEABRIGHT INSURANCE COMPANY

In this workers' compensation case, defendants sought reconsideration of an award of 100% permanent disability without apportionment. The Appeals Board granted the petitions, finding the medical evidence on apportionment unclear. The Board remanded the case for further proceedings, instructing that either apportionment must be clearly established by medical opinion meeting specific evidentiary standards or an unapportioned award will stand. The central issue is whether the Agreed Medical Evaluator can sufficiently apportion the applicant's total permanent disability between two distinct industrial injuries.

ApportionmentPermanent Total DisabilityAgreed Medical Evaluator (AME)Cumulative TraumaSpecific InjuryBenson v. The Permanente Medical GroupEscobedo v. MarshallsSubstantial Medical EvidenceReasonable Medical ProbabilityUndivided Award
References
Case No. ADJ8210063
Significant

Grace Nunes, Applicant vs. State of California, DEPT. OF MOTOR VEHICLES, Legally Uninsured; STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND, Adjusting Agency, Defendants

The Appeals Board denied the applicant's Petition for Reconsideration, affirming its prior en banc decision that vocational evidence cannot substitute for valid medical apportionment from a physician, as mandated by Labor Code section 4663.

Labor Code Section 4663Vocational ApportionmentMedical ApportionmentPermanent DisabilityQualified Medical EvaluatorSubstantial EvidencePetition for ReconsiderationEn Banc DecisionWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardApportionment Analysis
References
Showing 1-10 of 8,918 results

Ready to streamline your practice?

Apply these legal strategies instantly. CompFox helps you find decisions, analyze reports, and draft pleadings in minutes.

CompFox Logo

The AI standard for workers' compensation professionals. Faster research, deeper analysis, better outcomes.

Product

  • Platform
  • Workflow
  • Features
  • Pricing

Solutions

  • Defense Firms
  • Applicants' Attorneys
  • Insurance carriers
  • Medical Providers

Company

  • About
  • Insights
  • Case Law

Legal

  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Trust
  • Cookies
  • Subscription

© 2026 CompFox Inc. All rights reserved.

Systems Operational