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. ADJ1244874
Regular
Apr 19, 2010

ENRIQUE ROJAS vs. COSTCO

This case involves a meat cutter/wrapper's claim for an industrial injury to his respiratory system, diagnosed as hypersensitivity pneumonitis. The defendant contested the finding of industrial causation, arguing the medical evidence was insufficient. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the defendant's petition for reconsideration. The Board affirmed the administrative law judge's decision, finding that the agreed medical examiner, Dr. Markovitz, established a reasonable medical probability of industrial causation, despite not identifying the precise causative agent. The Board relied on Dr. Markovitz's expert opinion, which utilized a process of elimination and epidemiological considerations to conclude the condition was likely work-related.

Hypersensitivity PneumonitisIndustrial CausationAgreed Medical EvaluatorPulmonologistMeat CutterMeat WrapperRespiratory System InjuryCumulative TraumaProcess of EliminationReasonable Medical Probability
References
Case No. ADJ12582828
Regular
Jan 03, 2023

TERRY KELLY vs. SAFEWAY

This case involves a workers' compensation claim where the defendant sought reconsideration of an award finding injury AOE/COE to multiple body parts. The primary dispute centers on the applicant's occupational group number, with the applicant claiming "butcher" (420) and the defendant arguing "meat cutter" (322), impacting permanent disability ratings. The Board granted reconsideration, finding insufficient evidence to determine the occupational group number and therefore deferring permanent disability for all affected body parts pending further development of the record. The finding of injury AOE/COE to the applicant's cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, bilateral knees, bilateral elbows, and bilateral wrists was upheld.

Occupational Group NumberMeat CutterButcherCumulative TraumaPermanent DisabilityQualified Medical EvaluatorSubstantial EvidenceFurther DevelopmentBody PartsWPI Ratings
References
Case No. AHM 0116452 AHM 0116457 AHM 0116470
Regular
Jul 21, 2008

BRUCE SERVISS vs. RALPH'S GROCERY, SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and amended the award to clarify that the applicant is not entitled to duplicative temporary disability and vocational rehabilitation maintenance allowance payments for the same period. The Board found the defendant breached its duty to provide timely vocational rehabilitation notices after the applicant's January 16, 2004 permanent and stationary date. Consequently, the defendant remains liable for vocational rehabilitation maintenance allowance from that date, adjusted for prior payments.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationVocational RehabilitationMaintenance AllowanceTemporary DisabilityIndustrial InjuryMeat CutterRalph's GrocerySedgwick Claims Management ServicesPermanent and Stationary
References
Case No. ADJ4581305
Regular
Sep 20, 2011

ROBERTO ESQUIVEL vs. ALBERTSON'S, SPECIALTY RISK SERVICES

In this workers' compensation case, the defendant sought removal of the WCJ's order setting a lien trial, alleging due process violations and irreparable harm due to the denial of a continuance. The Appeals Board granted the petition, rescinded the trial order, and returned the matter to the trial level. This decision acknowledges disputed factual and legal issues regarding the lien claimant's lien that were not adequately addressed. The Board expects improved conduct from parties in future proceedings.

Petition for RemovalLien TrialDue ProcessIrreparable HarmCompromise and ReleaseLien ClaimantTimelinessFileNetAppeals BoardWCJ
References
Case No. ADJ1218402 (SAC 0354469)
Regular
Jun 04, 2009

JOHN MUNYER vs. RALEY'S, Permissibly Self-Insured, Adjusted By YORK CLAIMS SERVICE, INC.

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and ordered the defendant to pay lien claimant Boehm & Associates $5,000. This decision stems from a stipulation and order resolving the lien claimant's petition for reconsideration regarding reimbursement for medical treatment. The parties agreed to this settlement amount, which fully satisfies the lien claim, including any claims for interest and penalties. The Board noted a typographical error in the stipulation regarding the beneficiary of the lien, assuming it referred to the UFCW Northern California Benefit Plan.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardLien ClaimantPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardCumulative Industrial InjuryMeat CutterOfficial Medical Fee ScheduleLabor Code Section 4903(a)(2)Contract RateStipulation and Order
References
Case No. ADJ9906817 ADJ9850975
Regular
May 16, 2019

ALEXANDER MARTINEZ RODRIGUEZ vs. SUPERCENTER CONCEPTS, INC, D/B/A SUPERIOR GROCERS, SAFETY NATIONAL CASUALTY INSURANCE, administered by HELMSMAN MANAGEMENT SERVICES, NUMERO UNO ACQUISITIONS, LLC D/B/A NUMERO UNO MARKET, INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE WEST, WAUSAU UNDERWRITERS INSURANCE COMPANY

Defendant Superior Grocers sought reconsideration of an approved Compromise and Release for applicant's claimed injuries. They argued the settlement failed to name all employers, did not account for prior disability payments, and omitted a fee hold for attorney splits. The Board dismissed the petition as premature because a trial is scheduled for May 22, 2019, where these issues can be properly addressed with evidence and testimony. Therefore, the Board found it lacked sufficient information to rule on the reconsideration request at this time.

Compromise and ReleasePetition for ReconsiderationWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardAdministrative Law JudgeSet Aside OrderIndemnity AdvancesFee Split AgreementMultiple Body PartsMeat CutterSuperior Grocers
References
Case No. ADJ7091661
Regular
Apr 02, 2014

JOSE CONTRERAS vs. SPECIALTY MEATS, INC., TRAVELERS CASUALTY & SURETY COMPANY, COMPWEST INSURANCE COMPANY

This case involved Jose Contreras alleging a continuous trauma injury to multiple body parts while employed as a butcher. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied his Petition for Reconsideration, adopting the findings of the administrative law judge (WCJ). The WCJ found no industrial injury, relying on Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) reports that attributed the conditions to pre-existing or degenerative issues. The WCJ also found Contreras to be not credible due to inconsistencies and similarity to prior claims, and denied his attempt to elect against a specific defendant on the trial date.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationWCJIndustrial injuryFinal orderRemovalSpecialty MeatsInc.Travelers Casualty & Surety CompanyCompWest Insurance Company
References
Case No. ADJ9379744, ADJ9372793
Regular
Jun 26, 2018

SALVADOR CUEVAS vs. DEL MONTE MEAT COMPANY, INC., COMPANION PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY

This case involves competing claims of a specific low back and psyche injury on January 14, 2011, and a cumulative right shoulder injury from April 2012 to April 2013. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration to address defendant's argument that medical reports lacked substantial evidence regarding apportionment of disability. The WCAB rescinded the previous award, finding the Qualified Medical Examiner's (QME) reports inconsistent and lacking clear apportionment. The matter is returned to the WCJ to develop the record and clarify whether the applicant sustained one or two psychiatric injuries and, if two, for proper apportionment.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardSalvador CuevasDel Monte Meat CompanyCompanion Property and Casualty Insurance CompanyAthens AdministratorsJoint Findings and AwardReconsiderationSpecific InjuryCumulative InjuryLow Back Injury
References
Case No. ADJ10168186 ADJ10168303
Regular
Mar 17, 2020

JOSEFINA VALDIVIA vs. KING MEAT, INC., ACE/ESIS

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration of a prior decision concerning Josefin Valdivia's claims against King Meat, Inc. and ACE/ESIS. While affirming the January 10, 2020 decision, the WCAB amended it to defer specific issues. The determination of whether the injury arose out of and occurred in the course of employment (AOE/COE) is deferred. Furthermore, issues regarding permanent disability and entitlement to future medical treatment are also deferred.

AOE/COEPetition for ReconsiderationWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardPermanent DisabilityFuture Medical TreatmentWCJ ReportDecision After Reconsideration
References
Case No. ADJ8979705
Regular
Oct 01, 2016

VENANCIO GALLEGOS vs. ROSE & SHORE RITE WAY RR MEAT PACKERS, INCORPORATED/RITE-WAY MEAT PACKERS, INCORPORATED, EVEREST NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY

The Appeals Board granted defendant's Petition for Removal, rescinding the WCJ's order to further develop the record. This decision was based on the WCJ's premature order to depose the original PQME, Dr. Steiger, before ruling on whether his reports were admissible. The Board found that requiring this deposition without a ruling on Dr. Steiger's availability would be premature and cause irreparable harm. The case is returned to the trial level for a status conference before a new judge to address the PQME dispute and other issues.

Petition for RemovalVacating SubmissionPQME depositionMedical report admissibilityCross-examinationWCJ orderWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardRecord developmentPrecedentIrreparable harm
References
Showing 1-10 of 29 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