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Case Law Database

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

Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Simpson v. Glen Aubrey Fire Co.

A volunteer fireman suffered an acute lumbosacral strain requiring frequent hospital and doctor visits. He sought reimbursement for 290 miles of travel expenses. The Workers' Compensation Board approved reimbursement at 20 cents per mile, leading to this appeal. The court examined whether travel expenses for medical treatment are reimbursable under the Volunteer Firemen’s Benefit Law and Workers’ Compensation Law. It concluded that access to medical treatment implies the financial means to obtain it, upholding the humanitarian goals of the legislation.

Volunteer FiremanLumbosacral StrainMileage ReimbursementTravel ExpensesMedical TreatmentWorkers' Compensation LawVolunteer Firemen's Benefit LawStatutory InterpretationRemedial LawLiberal Construction
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
May 03, 1985

Wolf v. Wolf

In two support proceedings, the petitioner mother appealed two orders. The first order, entered September 7, 1984, denied her petition for an upward modification of child support. The second order, entered May 3, 1985, denied her full reimbursement for certain child counseling expenses. The Family Court's decisions were affirmed on appeal. The court properly denied a general increase in the father's child support obligation and directed the mother to seek payment for counseling expenses through the father's medical insurance coverage.

child supportupward modificationcounseling expensesparental obligationsFamily Lawappellate reviewOrange County
References
0
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Leone v. Sheriff's Department

This case addresses whether a municipality, which has paid both salary and medical treatment costs to a police officer injured in the line of duty under General Municipal Law § 207-c, is entitled to reimbursement for medical treatment expenses from a schedule award received by the employee under the Workers’ Compensation Law. The employer, a self-insured municipality, deducted both wages and medical expenses from the claimant's schedule award. The Workers’ Compensation Board affirmed a decision holding that the employer was not entitled to credit for medical payments from the schedule loss award. The court affirmed this decision, holding that medical expense payments made by a self-insured employer must be deemed Workers’ Compensation Law § 13 payments, for which the employer is not entitled to reimbursement under Workers’ Compensation Law § 30 (3). The court emphasized a liberal and harmonious interpretation of the relevant statutes to avoid disadvantaging police officers and firefighters.

Workers' CompensationGeneral Municipal LawPolice OfficersFirefightersMedical ExpensesSchedule AwardReimbursementSelf-Insured EmployerStatutory InterpretationLine of Duty Injury
References
6
Case No. ADJ4702564 (RDG 0094598) ADJ6944237
Regular
Apr 17, 2018

CLAUDETTE GILBERT vs. DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, INHOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, YORK RISK SERVICES, ADVENTIST HEALTH OF CALIFORNIA, LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

This case concerns a dispute over reimbursement for medical expenses following two lumbar spine injuries sustained by the applicant. The Department of Social Services (IHSS) sought reimbursement from Liberty Mutual Insurance Company for treatment costs after the applicant's 2008 injury, arguing the 1999 injury contributed to the need for care. However, the Appeals Board found Dr. Sommer's medical opinions lacked substantiality due to inconsistent apportionment and a failure to adequately explain the causal link between the 1999 injury and the 2008 treatment needs. Consequently, IHSS failed to meet its burden of proof, and their claims for reimbursement and shared medical expenses were denied.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationIn-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)Legally UninsuredYORK RISK SERVICESADVENTIST HEALTH OF CALIFORNIALIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANYlumbar spine injuryapportionmentmedical opinions
References
0
Case No. ADJ3842696 (SAL 0105756) ADJ4430006 (SAL 0111994)
Regular
Apr 23, 2010

JOSE VILLA vs. CHALONE WINE GROUP, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, ZENITH INSURANCE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration to allow the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA) reimbursement for its bill review expenses. The Board found that bill review costs are an essential and necessary part of adjusting medical claims, akin to "incurred losses" as defined by the Uniform Statistical Reporting Plan. This decision amends a prior ruling that excluded such expenses, recognizing their role in controlling medical overpayments. The parties are now to adjust the specific amount of reimbursement for these expenses.

CIGACalifornia Insurance Guarantee Associationbill review expensesincurred lossesloss adjustment expensemedical cost containmentuniform statistical reporting planinsolvency insurancecovered claimsLabor Code
References
4
Case No. ADJ1938020 (LAO 0877660)
Regular
Jul 21, 2010

FRANCISCO PEREZ vs. KING TACO RESTAURANTS, INC., AMERICAN CASUALTY

This case involves an applicant seeking reimbursement for travel expenses incurred to attend a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) appointment. The applicant relocated out of state after sustaining an industrial knee injury. The defendant initially disputed medical findings, triggering the QME process, and later refused to reimburse travel expenses to the out-of-state QME. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board ruled that the applicant was entitled to travel expenses, citing relevant Labor Code sections and precedent. Sanctions were denied, and penalty issues were deferred.

ADJ1938020LAO 0877660King Taco RestaurantsInc.American CasualtyQualified Medical EvaluatorQME panelLabor Code Section 4062.2Labor Code Section 4061Labor Code Section 4600
References
3
Case No. ADJ6774605
Regular
Sep 02, 2016

Tammy Tran vs. PROFESSIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRY, ZURICH LOS ANGELES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration of the Administrative Law Judge's (ALJ) decision, which limited reimbursement for self-procured medical treatment. The Board found that the ALJ erred by only allowing reimbursement for treatment from the claim date until the denial date. Citing *McCoy v. Industrial Accident Commission*, the Board determined that the employer is liable for all reasonably necessary self-procured medical expenses incurred after the employer denied the claim, as this denial effectively refused to provide treatment. Consequently, the Board rescinded the ALJ's award and remanded the case for further proceedings to determine the reasonableness of all self-procured medical expenses.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardSelf-Procured Medical TreatmentLabor Code Section 4600McCoy v. Industrial Accident CommissionDenial of ClaimReimbursementIndustrial InjuryReasonably Necessary Treatment
References
5
Case No. 25 NY3d 907
Regular Panel Decision
2015-XX-XX

Government Employees Insurance v. Avanguard Medical Group, PLLC

This case addresses whether no-fault insurance carriers are obligated to pay facility fees to New York State-accredited office-based surgery (OBS) centers for the use of their premises and support services. The court concluded that neither existing statutes nor regulations mandate such payments. Plaintiffs, a group of GEICO insurers, successfully sought a declaratory judgment that they are not legally required to reimburse Avanguard Medical Group, PLLC, for OBS facility fees, totaling over $1.3 million. The decision affirmed the Appellate Division's ruling, emphasizing that OBS facility fees are not explicitly covered by statute or fee schedules, nor do they fall under reimbursable "professional health services" as per 11 NYCRR 68.5. The court highlighted the distinct regulatory frameworks for OBS centers compared to hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers, declining to mandate policy changes best left to the legislature.

No-Fault InsuranceOffice-Based Surgery (OBS)Facility FeesInsurance LawBasic Economic LossFee SchedulesWorkers' Compensation BoardDepartment of Financial ServicesStatutory InterpretationRegulatory Framework
References
16
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Vanostrand v. Felchar Manufacturing Corp.

The case involves an appeal from a Workers’ Compensation Board decision concerning a claimant found to have defrauded employers and carriers by overstating mileage and making false statements about her physical condition. The Board ruled that Workers’ Compensation Law § 114-a, which bars future wage replacement benefits for such violations, does not preclude the claimant from receiving future mileage expenses or medical coverage. The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed this decision, citing its previous ruling in Matter of Rodriguez v Burn-Brite Metals Co., which established that the penalties under Workers’ Compensation Law § 114-a are limited to wage replacement benefits and do not extend to medical benefits. The court also found no error in the Board's tacit refusal to require the claimant to directly repay the mileage overpayments to the subject carriers.

Workers' Compensation Law § 114-aMedical BenefitsMileage ExpensesFraudulent MisrepresentationStatutory InterpretationAppellate DecisionWage Replacement BenefitsBoard Decision ReviewAffirmative RulingLegal Precedent
References
2
Case No. 22108137
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 23, 2023

Matter of Harrell v. Blue Diamond Sheet Metal

The Self-Insured Employer appealed a decision by the Workers' Compensation Law Judge (WCLJ) which established a claim for a consequential left knee injury. The WCLJ's decision also directed reimbursement to the claimant for out-of-pocket medical expenses related to the left knee. The Board Panel, after reviewing the evidence, found no reason to disturb the WCLJ's findings regarding the consequential left knee injury. The Board Panel also affirmed the WCLJ's directive for reimbursement of medical expenses. Therefore, the WCLJ's decision was affirmed.

consequential injuryleft knee injuryout-of-pocket medical expensesWCLJ decisionBoard Panelself-insured employerreimbursementmedical treatment
References
0
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