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. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Evevsky v. Liberty Mutual Group

This case involves an appeal from a Workers’ Compensation Board decision regarding a claimant's unauthorized medical treatment. The claimant, who sustained neck and shoulder injuries in 1993, had her case reopened in 2001 after the employer's carrier objected to her request for authorized massage therapy. Both the Workers’ Compensation Law Judge and the Board determined that the treatment was not authorized under Workers’ Compensation Law § 13-b, as the massage therapist was not Board-authorized nor supervised by an authorized physician. The appellate court reviewed the Board's decision, affirming that there was no legal basis to overturn the finding. The court also considered and dismissed the claimant's constitutional arguments as being without merit.

Workers' CompensationMedical TreatmentMassage TherapyAuthorizationBoard DecisionAppellate ReviewStatutory InterpretationPhysician SupervisionConstitutionalityPermanent Partial Disability
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Cummins v. North Medical Family Physicians

A claimant sustained a work-related back injury and sought continued medical treatment, which was initially authorized. Disputes over authorization led the claimant to retain an attorney. A Workers’ Compensation Law Judge authorized continued medical treatment but denied counsel fees, stating no "money passing" occurred. The Workers' Compensation Board upheld this decision. The claimant appealed, arguing the Board unconstitutionally applied Workers’ Compensation Law § 24, misinterpreted the statute regarding fee payment from medical benefits, and abused its discretion. The appellate court affirmed the Board's decision, ruling that counsel fees must be paid from "compensation," defined as a money allowance, and medical benefits are not considered "compensation" for this purpose, thus finding no abuse of discretion.

Workers' CompensationCounsel FeesAttorney FeesMedical TreatmentStatutory InterpretationConstitutional LawLienCompensation DefinitionAppellate ReviewBoard Decision
References
3
Case No. ADJ736188 (GOL 0099658)
Regular
Sep 22, 2017

Deanna Power vs. St. John's Regional Medical Center, SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

This case concerns Deanna Power's claim for continued medical treatment, specifically prescription medications Xyrem and Lunesta, for a previous industrial injury. The employer denied authorization for these medications through Utilization Review (UR), and the applicant's subsequent Independent Medical Review (IMR) application was deemed untimely. The trial judge initially ordered continued treatment and directed the Administrative Director to process the IMR appeal, finding it timely. However, the Appeals Board granted reconsideration, finding the trial judge lacked jurisdiction to order treatment when a timely UR decision was issued and the applicant's sole recourse was the IMR process. The matter was returned to the trial level for a determination solely on the timeliness of the IMR appeal, not the medical necessity of the medications.

WCABPetition for ReconsiderationFindings of Fact and AwardXyremLunestaIndependent Medical ReviewIMRUtilization ReviewURprescription medications
References
3
Case No. ADJ10168011
Regular
Sep 25, 2017

BELINDA GO vs. SUTTER SOLANO MEDICAL CENTER

This case involved an applicant who self-procured cervical spine surgery after her employer denied authorization, which was upheld by an Independent Medical Review. Despite the denial, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) denied the employer's petition for reconsideration. The WCAB affirmed that injured workers are entitled to temporary and permanent disability for reasonable, self-procured medical treatment, even if initially unauthorized. The Board found the self-procured surgery was reasonable due to its positive outcome, and the Permanent Qualified Medical Evaluator's findings supported the disability award. The WCAB clarified that utilization review and independent medical review processes do not preclude temporary disability indemnity for self-procured treatment deemed reasonable.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationUtilization Review (UR)Independent Medical Review (IMR)Self-Procured SurgeryTemporary Disability IndemnityPermanent DisabilityPanel Qualified Medical Evaluator (PQME)Medical Treatment DisputesLabor Code Section 4600
References
14
Case No. ADJ7765356
Regular
Jul 26, 2011

WESLEY CAIN vs. LOS ANGELES METROPOLITAN AUTHORITY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the Los Angeles Metropolitan Authority's petition for reconsideration. The Authority sought to alter a prior stipulation that awarded applicant Wesley Cain medical treatment for an admitted industrial injury. The Board adopted the WCJ's report, which found the stipulation was a binding agreement. The WCJ determined the language of the stipulation clearly provided for ongoing medical care and the Authority provided no evidence to alter this entitlement.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationAdministrative Law JudgeStipulation and Request for AwardMedical treatmentIndustrial injuryMetro train driverSuicide attemptContract principlesBinding agreement
References
1
Case No. WCB No. 7990 5338
Regular Panel Decision

In the Matter of Maureen Kigin v. State of New York Workers' Compensation Board

Justice Rivera's dissenting opinion argues that the Workers’ Compensation Board overstepped its authority by implementing regulations that demand preapproval for medical services not listed in its guidelines, thereby presuming such unlisted treatments are not medically necessary. This approach, according to the dissent, obstructs prompt medical care, contradicts the Workers’ Compensation Law's pro-employee stance, and deviates from the legislative intent to ease access to diagnostic and treatment measures. The opinion contends that while the Board can create a pre-authorized list, it cannot use this power to impose a burden on claimants like Kigin to continually prove the medical necessity of treatments not on that list, especially when disputes historically allowed for post-treatment resolution.

Workers' Compensation LawMedical Treatment GuidelinesPre-authorization RegulationsVariance SchemeMedical NecessityBoard AuthorityAdministrative RegulationsClaimant Burden of ProofStatutory InterpretationLegislative Intent
References
13
Case No. ADJ3796500
Regular
Oct 13, 2010

JEFFREY DIXON vs. FALCON TRADING CO., INC., STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The defendant, SCIF, sought reconsideration of an order requiring them to authorize specific medical treatment for the applicant, which had been denied by utilization review. SCIF argued the applicant failed to follow statutory procedures for dispute resolution regarding medical treatment. However, the Appeals Board denied reconsideration because SCIF waived this procedural defense by not raising it at trial. The sole issue litigated was the reasonableness of the medical treatment, for which the applicant presented substantial evidence. Therefore, the prior order mandating authorization of the treatment was upheld.

Utilization ReviewAgreed Medical ExaminerQualified Medical ExaminerLabor Code Section 4062Labor Code Section 4062.2Declaration of Readiness to ProceedWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardIndustrial InjuryMedical TreatmentOxycontin
References
15
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Sep 13, 1979

Claim of Carley v. Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority

The Workers’ Compensation Board filed a decision on September 13, 1979, finding that the claimant's disability after January 21, 1977, was causally related to an industrial accident on January 1, 1977. The Board also determined that the claimant's subsequent treatment at the Veterans Administration Hospital was necessary and authorized. This determination was based on Dr. Russo's testimony. The court reviewed the appeal and found substantial evidence in the record to support the Board's decision. Consequently, the decision was affirmed, with costs awarded to the Workers’ Compensation Board.

Industrial AccidentCausally Related DisabilityMedical Treatment AuthorizationWorkers' Compensation AppealBoard DecisionVeterans Administration HospitalMedical TestimonySubstantial EvidenceAffirmed Decision
References
0
Case No. ADJ7251439, ADJ9344777
Regular
Jul 09, 2015

JERRY BRYANT vs. POMONA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, Permissibly Self-Insured, Administered By CORVEL CORPORATION

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the defendant's petition for reconsideration. The Board affirmed the finding that the applicant could seek medical treatment outside the defendant's Medical Provider Network (MPN). This was due to the defendant's failure to provide timely medical treatment within the MPN. Despite an authorized physician being listed on the MPN, the defendant neglected to send written authorization, thereby allowing the applicant to self-procure treatment.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardMedical Provider NetworkMPNPetition for ReconsiderationFindings of FactWCJexpedited hearingDeclaration of Readinessself-procure medical treatmentLab. Code
References
2
Case No. ADJ10034122
Regular
Dec 22, 2017

CRYSTAL WYANT vs. AMERICAN MEDICAL RESPONSE, ACE AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY

This case concerns an applicant's industrial back injury requiring lumbar spinal fusion. Defendants sought to overturn a prior award granting ongoing medical treatment, arguing a subsequent Utilization Review (UR) certification was invalid. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration, finding the UR process was correctly followed. A second Request for Authorization (RFA) submitted by the applicant's physician included "Change in Material Facts," triggering a new review. This second UR decision, dated September 11, 2017, authorized the surgery as medically necessary, superseding the earlier denial.

Utilization ReviewIndependent Medical ReviewReconsiderationFindings and AwardAdministrative Law JudgeLabor Code Section 4610Request for AuthorizationLumbar Spinal FusionMedical TreatmentChange in Material Facts
References
4
Showing 1-10 of 11,100 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