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. ADJ663546
Regular
Oct 01, 2009

Sudha Rajender vs. TOBIN LUCKS, MALMQUIST, FIELDS & CAMASTRA

The WCJ found insufficient evidence of significant stress to support a conclusion that work stress contributed to applicant's coronary heart disease. The Board affirmed the WCJ's determination and denied the petition for reconsideration.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardSudha RajenderTobin LucksMalmquist Fields Camastracumulative trauma injurymyocardial infarctionQualified Medical EvaluatorDr. Gerald Bessespetition for reconsiderationindustrial causation
References
Case No. ADJ7249250
Regular
Jun 23, 2011

GUADALUPE MEDINA vs. CLOUGHERTY PACKING dba FARMERS JOHN

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted the defendant's petition for reconsideration to allow them to file a supplemental pleading. This supplemental filing is permitted under California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 10848. The defendant must file this pleading within 10 days. The Board granted reconsideration specifically to review the facts and law relevant to the supplemental petition.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationSupplemental PetitionCalifornia Code of Regulations Title 8 Section 10848WCJPermissibly Self-InsuredClougherty PackingFarmers JohnGuadalupe MedinaJames Scherer
References
Case No. ADJ9625407
Regular
Sep 12, 2018

KEITH FIELD vs. CITY OF PINOLE

This case involves a firefighter who sustained bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome after retirement. The Appeals Board reversed the trial judge, holding that Labor Code section 4458.5 applies, entitling the applicant to permanent disability benefits calculated at the maximum indemnity rate. This applies regardless of the applicant's actual earnings or the fact that carpal tunnel syndrome is not a specifically enumerated presumptive injury. The case is remanded for determination of the precise date of injury to calculate the benefit rate.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardKeith FieldCity of PinolePermissibly Self-InsuredMunicipal Pooling AuthorityADJ9625407Opinion and Decision After Reconsiderationindustrial injuryfirefighterbilateral upper extremities
References
Case No. ADJ14660179
Regular
Feb 27, 2025

LAURIE FIELDS vs. THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SEDGWICK

Applicant Laurie Fields sought to disqualify a workers' compensation administrative law judge (WCJ) alleging bias, after the WCJ initially found her injury non-industrial, a decision later rescinded on reconsideration. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) considered the petition, a supplemental petition, and the WCJ's report. The Board dismissed the petition for disqualification, finding it was untimely filed according to WCAB Rule 10960, as the alleged conduct occurred months before the petition was filed on December 19, 2024. The Board reiterated that expressions of opinion based on evidence and erroneous rulings are not grounds for disqualification if subject to review.

Petition for DisqualificationWCJ BiasTimelinessLabor Code Section 5311Code of Civil Procedure Section 641WCAB Rule 10960QME ReportsReconsiderationIndependent Medical ExaminerOpinion and Order
References
Case No. ADJ4351792 (SAL 0117377) ADJ6464897 ADJ7539999
Regular
Nov 06, 2013

TOMMIE FIELDS vs. INTERIM, INC., EVEREST NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the employer's Petition for Reconsideration, affirming the finding of 100% disability due to psychiatric injury for Tommie Fields. The Board deferred to the Administrative Law Judge's credibility determination, finding the Applicant's testimony reliable. The employer's arguments regarding the Applicant's disability assessment and the "Good Faith Personnel Defense" were rejected, with the Board upholding the finding that the termination was not a good faith personnel action. The psychiatric injury's disability was properly apportioned between two separate work injuries.

WCABPetition for ReconsiderationWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardAdministrative Law JudgeReport and RecommendationPsychiatric InjuryTotal DisabilityGood Faith Personnel DefenseAlmaraz/Guzman analysisWhole Person Impairment
References
Case No. ADJ8210063; ADJ8621818
Regular
Feb 27, 2025

GRACE NUNES vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES; administered by STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

Grace Nunes, an applicant, sustained industrial injuries to her neck, left shoulder, and bilateral upper extremities while employed by the State of California, Department of Motor Vehicles. Following a prior reconsideration, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) clarified that 'vocational apportionment' is impermissible and vocational evidence must align with medical apportionment. The Workers' Compensation Judge (WCJ) ordered further development of the record with the Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) and vocational experts to comply with the Board's decisions. Applicant petitioned for reconsideration or removal of this interlocutory order, which the Appeals Board denied, affirming the WCJ's discretion to develop the record for a just and reasoned decision.

Industrial injuryNeck injuryShoulder injuryBilateral upper extremitiesField representativeVocational retrainingPermanent and total disabilityVocational apportionmentMedical apportionmentQualified Medical Evaluator
References
Case No. ADJ3601389 (STK 0210427)
Regular
Jan 09, 2014

CHRISTOPHER JAMERO vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and rescinded the dismissal of the applicant's case. The dismissal was for lack of prosecution after the applicant's attorney failed to respond to notices of intent to dismiss. The Board found that the attorney's repeated trips to Mexico to attend his gravely ill father, who subsequently passed away, constituted excusable neglect. Given the strong public policy favoring disposition on the merits and the constitutional mandate to achieve substantial justice, the Board determined the applicant should not be penalized for counsel's oversight. The case was returned to the trial level for further proceedings.

Petition for ReconsiderationOrder DismissingLack of ProsecutionNotice of Intention to DismissIndustrial InjuryField InspectorAgreed Medical ExaminerExcusable NeglectSubstantial JusticeProcedural Rules
References
Case No. ADJ3897695 (VNO 0406436)
Regular
Oct 07, 2013

CASSANDRA KUBIAK vs. LOS ANGELES MUNICIPAL COURT, INTERCARE INSURANCE SERVICES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) has granted the applicant Cassandra Kubiak's petition for reconsideration of a prior decision. This action was taken due to the need for further study of the factual and legal issues involved to ensure a just and reasoned decision. All future filings related to this case are to be submitted in writing directly to the WCAB Commissioners' office, not through district offices or e-filing. The WCAB will conduct further proceedings as deemed appropriate following this reconsideration.

KUBIAKLOS ANGELES MUNICIPAL COURTINTERCARE INSURANCE SERVICESPetition for ReconsiderationGRANTEDDecision After ReconsiderationElectronic Adjudication Management SystemWORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDVan Nuys District OfficeDeidra E. Lowe
References
Case No. ADJ2977853 (SRO 0128753)
Regular
Jul 21, 2010

JORGE ALVAREZ vs. PEREZ FARMS & ASSOCIATES, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

In this case, the applicant sought reconsideration of a prior award, arguing the permanent disability rating was too low and the attorney's fee calculation was incorrect. The Board granted reconsideration, adopting the judge's recommendation to increase the attorney's fee significantly. While the applicant's permanent disability rating remained at 86 percent, the judge acknowledged error in how attorney fees were factored, particularly concerning a life pension. The amended award reflects an increased attorney fee, with a portion to be commuted from the applicant's future life pension payments.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPermanent DisabilityApportionmentAttorney FeesLife PensionCost of Living AdjustmentsSchedule for Rating Permanent DisabilitiesGAF ratingLabor Code section 4660(d)Industrial Injury
References
Case No. ADJ8334555
Regular
Apr 05, 2013

JOSE HERNANDEZ vs. BRYAN MIMAKI dba PACIFIC RIMS, PALMS; ZENITH INSURANCE COMPANY

This case concerns whether a knee injury sustained by an employee, Jose Hernandez, while playing basketball on company premises during lunch is compensable. The defendant argued the injury did not arise out of employment, as it stemmed from voluntary participation in an athletic activity not required by the employer. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration, affirming the finding that the injury was industrial. The majority found the employee's subjective belief of employer expectation was objectively reasonable, given the employer provided a court and balls and supervisors encouraged participation. Commissioner Lowe dissented, arguing the applicant failed to demonstrate an objectively reasonable belief of employer expectation, as he could opt out and faced no repercussions.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardIndustrial InjuryRight KneeField WorkerBasketball GameOff-Duty Recreational ActivityLabor Code Section 3600(a)(9)Reasonable Expectancy of EmploymentSubjective BeliefObjective Reasonableness
References
Showing 1-10 of 35 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