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

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 The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr.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. ADJ3942275 (LAO 0879499) ADJ4411298 (LAO 0879500)
Regular
Jul 12, 2012

JESUS RODRIGO GUZMAN vs. CHAMPION ARROWHEAD BRASS PRODUCTS, ZENITH INSURANCE COMPANY

This case involves sanctions imposed against Erika Campos and Fred F. Hafezi, M.D., for bad faith actions and tactics. They are jointly and severally sanctioned $1,000.00 payable to the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board. Sanctionable conduct included a misdated proof of service and misstatements of fact in a petition, as detailed in the WCJ's report. Neither Campos nor Hafezi responded to the Board's notice of intent to sanction.

SanctionsLabor Code section 5813Opinion and Decision After RemovalMisstatements of factBad faith actionsWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardWCJProof of servicePetition for ReconsiderationNotice of Intention to Issue Sanctions
References
Case No. ADJ649373
Regular
Aug 01, 2014

TRENA GIBNEY vs. GLENDALE ADVENTIST HOSPITAL, ADVENTIST HEALTH

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the defendant's Petition for Reconsideration, upholding the judge's findings. The judge ruled that the applicant was entitled to referrals to a pulmonologist, nephrologist, and hematologist, as well as an AFO brace. The Board rejected the defendant's supplemental pleading and admonished their counsel for misstating facts, noting potential future sanctions. The applicant sustained a catastrophic injury as a registered nurse in 2008 and has undergone multiple surgeries, with the current dispute revolving around the medical necessity of further consultations and an AFO brace.

WCABPetition for ReconsiderationWCJ reportsupplemental pleadingmisstating factssanctionsFindings and Awardpulmonologistnephrologisthematologist
References
Case No. ADJ18803348
Regular
May 30, 2025

FEDERICO PEREZ vs. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF WALNUT CREEK, WALNUT CREEK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, CHURCH MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the petition for reconsideration filed by the defendants, First Baptist Church of Walnut Creek, Walnut Creek Christian Academy, and Church Mutual Insurance Company, in the case of applicant Federico Perez. The applicant alleged a right shoulder injury on September 7, 2023. The defendants were admonished for violating WCAB Rule 10945 by misstating material facts and referencing documents not in the trial record. The Board affirmed the WCJ's findings that the applicant provided pre-termination notice of the injury, and established injury arising out of and in the course of employment (AOE/COE) and entitlement to temporary total disability, based on credible testimony and the Panel QME report of Dr. Adam Brooks. The decision also addressed the timeliness of the Board's action on reconsideration petitions under Labor Code section 5909 and the post-termination defense under Labor Code section 3600(a)(10).

WCABPetition for ReconsiderationLabor Code Section 5909Electronic Adjudication Management SystemEAMSTransmission of CaseNotice of TransmissionReport and RecommendationWCAB Rule 10945Misstatement of Facts
References
Case No. ADJ10954606
Regular
Mar 09, 2020

DORIT DAVIDOFF vs. UCLA MEDICAL CENTER, SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration to clarify findings of fact regarding industrial injury AOE/COE. The Board rescinded the previous decision and substituted a new Findings and Award to specifically address the stipulated injury to the lumbar spine, ensuring the award of permanent disability benefits was properly supported. The Board clarified that stipulations agreed upon by the parties should be treated as findings of fact to meet statutory requirements. The decision confirms permanent disability for the left ankle, thoracic spine, and lumbar spine, denies claims for neck and knee injuries, and orders further medical treatment and attorney fees.

Petition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardIndustrial InjuryLumbar SpineThoracic SpineLeft AnkleAOE/COEStipulationJurisdictional FactsFindings of Fact
References
Case No. ADJ1566624 (MON 0329177) ADJ4125360 (MON 0329180)
Regular
Jul 19, 2011

LAURA LINDQUIST vs. SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF ORANGE; CORVEL CORPORATION

This case concerns the correct permanent disability rating schedule to apply for an injury occurring before January 1, 2005. The Board affirmed the WCJ's decision to use the 1997 PDRS, finding an exception applied due to prior medical reporting indicating permanent disability. However, the Board amended the permanent disability indemnity award and attorney's fee amount based on the WCJ's correction of a mathematical error. The case is returned to the trial level for further proceedings reflecting this corrected award.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDFindings and AwardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings of Factpermanent disabilitypermanent disability indemnity2005 Permanent Disability Rating Schedule1997 Permanent Disability Rating ScheduleLabor Code section 4660(d)treating physician
References
Case No. ADJ3751392
Regular
Sep 02, 2017

SANTIAGO FLORES vs. OC COMPLETE PERSONNEL, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration of a finding that applicant Santiago Flores sustained an industrial back injury in 2003 and that the claim was contested until 2014. The defendant argued the claim was accepted, not contested, and that a regulation defining a contested claim based on disputed medical facts conflicted with the Labor Code. The Board affirmed the finding, concluding the regulation correctly interpreted the Labor Code by including disputed medical facts as a basis for a contested claim.

Contested claimPetition for ReconsiderationAgreed Medical EvaluatorCalifornia Code of RegulationsLabor CodeWCJWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardIndustrial injuryMedical-legal expensesDisputed medical fact
References
Case No. ADJ16326594
Regular
Oct 31, 2025

Peter Pham vs. Southern California Edison

Defendant sought removal of a WCJ's December 12, 2023 Findings of Fact and Order (F&O), which denied their motion for a replacement Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME). The defendant argued that the applicant's email to the QME constituted impermissible ex parte contact. The Appeals Board granted the petition for removal, rescinding the F&O, and substituting new Findings of Fact that the email was indeed impermissible ex parte contact, thereby ordering a replacement QME panel. Additionally, while earlier QME reports and deposition testimony by Dr. Weiss remain in evidence, her report dated July 22, 2023, was stricken to preserve the appearance of impartiality in the medical evaluation process.

Ex parte contactQualified Medical EvaluatorRemoval petitionFindings of Fact and OrderLabor Code Section 4062.3Appearance of impartialityMedical evaluation processReplacement QME panelPsychiatric injuryStipulated facts
References
Case No. ADJ803377 (RIV 0075685) ADJ6675892
Regular
Oct 05, 2017

SANDRA ARMENTA vs. SAN BERNARDINO SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration to address a plainly erroneous finding of fact in an Independent Medical Review (IMR) determination. The IMR incorrectly stated there was no documentation of constipation, despite medical reports confirming this issue, which was a basis for denying Amitiza. The WCAB also noted a case numbering error in the original findings of fact. Consequently, the WCAB rescinded the findings and returned the matter to the trial level for correction and further proceedings regarding the IMR determination's validity.

WCABReconsiderationIndependent Medical Review Determination (IMR)Findings of Fact (FOF)San Bernardino Sheriff's DepartmentApplicantPlainly Erroneous FactDocumentationPain ReliefFunctional Benefit
References
Case No. ADJ10929229
Regular
Feb 26, 2018

Oscar Lopez vs. EMPLOYBRIDGE, LLC formerly known as SELECT STAFFING, XL INSURANCE AMERICA, INC.

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board dismissed Oscar Lopez's Petition for Reconsideration of an approved Compromise and Release agreement. The Board will treat the petition as a request to set aside the agreement and will return it to the trial level. The judge will then schedule a hearing for Mr. Lopez to present evidence supporting his claim of error. A decision will be made based on the evidence presented at that hearing.

Petition for ReconsiderationOrder Approving Compromise and ReleaseWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardWCJIn pro perDismissing PetitionUntimelinessMeritsPetition to set asideContinuing jurisdiction
References
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