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

Case No. ADJ3744023
Regular
May 15, 2009

JOSEPH CRABTREE vs. MITCHELL BERMAN CABINET MAKER, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

In this workers' compensation case, the defendant sought reconsideration of an award finding an industrial injury to the applicant's abdomen/groin (hernia) and a resulting peripheral nerve injury causing 24% permanent disability. The defendant argued the peripheral nerve injury was not supported and the disability rating was incorrect due to misapplication of the AMA Guides. The Board denied reconsideration, adopting the judge's report and finding that the medical evidence supported the peripheral nerve injury and the AMA Guides were correctly applied. The Board found the agreed medical evaluator's conclusions were well-reasoned and supported by the evidence.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardIndustrial InjuryHerniaPeripheral Nerve InjuryPermanent DisabilityAgreed Medical Evaluator (AME)AMA GuidesPetition for ReconsiderationMedical EvidenceWCJ
References
4
Case No. ADJ669666 (MON 0318802)
Regular
Feb 22, 2011

JANE DOWDS vs. LONG BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, permissibly self-insured; administered by TRISTAR RISK MANAGEMENT

This case involves an applicant seeking reconsideration of a prior workers' compensation award. The applicant argued the administrative law judge erred in applying the 1997 Permanent Disability Rating Schedule and failing to award additional disability for irritable bowel syndrome. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, adopting the WCJ's recommendation to defer the issue of permanent disability related to irritable bowel syndrome and attorney's fees, reserving jurisdiction at the trial level. The rest of the original award was affirmed.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardLong Beach Unified School DistrictTristar Risk ManagementFindings and AwardPermanent Disability Rating ScheduleIrritable Bowel SyndromeHypertensionReconsiderationDeferred IssueJurisdiction Reserved
References
0
Case No. VNO 0506664 VNO 0506924
Regular
Nov 06, 2007

MICHAEL SOUTH vs. CITY OF GROVER BEACH, CITY OF ATASCADERO

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration of an applicant's petition regarding two industrial injuries: irritable bowel syndrome and bilateral upper extremity injuries. While the Board noted the petition was timely filed, it adopted the WCJ's report which found no permanent disability for the irritable bowel syndrome based on the treating doctor's opinion. The Board also upheld the use of the 2005 Permanent Disability Rating Schedule for the upper extremity injury, as the applicant's medical reports predating January 1, 2005, did not establish permanent and stationary status or permanent disability.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsideration DeniedIrritable Bowel SyndromeBilateral Medial EpicondylitisBilateral Cubital Tunnel SyndromePolice OfficerPermissibly Self-InsuredJoint PetitionTimely FiledPermanent Disability Rating Schedule
References
0
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 28, 1998

Claim of Murphy v. New York City Police Department

The claimant, a welder for 27-28 years, developed chronic irritative bronchitis due to welding fume exposure, distinct from asbestos exposure. He filed for workers' compensation and settled a third-party action against asbestos manufacturers. The Workers’ Compensation Board denied the self-insured employer credit for the third-party settlement, concluding the occupational disease (chronic irritative bronchitis) was not caused by asbestos. The Board reasoned there was no double recovery as the compensation award was for an injury different from the third-party settlement. The self-insured employer appealed this denial, but the decision was affirmed.

Workers CompensationOccupational Lung DiseaseChronic Irritative BronchitisWelding FumesAsbestos ExposureThird-Party SettlementEmployer Credit DenialDouble RecoveryWorkers Compensation Law Section 29Appellate Decision
References
5
Case No. ADJ900432 (SAC 0323091)
Regular
Dec 30, 2011

MARLENE COPUS vs. NORTH SACRAMENTO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT

This case involves a dispute over the necessity of spinal surgery for an applicant who sustained a cumulative trauma injury to her neck and back. While the applicant's treating physician recommended surgery, a second opinion physician disagreed, citing a lack of nerve root compression. The Appeals Board found that the medical evidence was insufficient to determine the necessity of surgery, particularly in light of ACOEM Practice Guidelines which generally recommend against surgery without nerve root compression. Therefore, the Board rescinded the prior award and remanded the case to appoint an independent physician to evaluate the applicant and determine the reasonableness and necessity of the proposed surgery.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardMarlene CopusNorth Sacramento Elementary School Districtcumulative traumaspinal surgerynerve root impingementcervical stenosisDr. OrisekDr. GregoriusACOEM Practice Guidelines
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 07, 2001

Claim of Hosmer v. Emerson Power Transmission

In 1972, the claimant began working for an employer, assembling industrial chains coated with molykote, a black powdery lubricant. By 1998, she developed respiratory problems, leading to a diagnosis of severe sinusitis and airway irritation, and stopped working in June 1999. She filed for workers' compensation, initially established for accident, notice, and causal relationship, then modified by the Workers' Compensation Board for occupational disease involving sinusitis and/or airway irritation superimposed on a preexisting allergic sensitivity due to molykote exposure. The employer appealed, arguing a lack of scientific basis for causal connection. The court affirmed the Board's decision, relying on medical testimony that molykote exposure was a significant factor in her symptoms, and that it aggravated a previously dormant allergic condition.

Occupational DiseaseSinusitisAirway IrritationMolykote ExposureCausal RelationshipPreexisting ConditionWorkers' Compensation BenefitsMedical Opinion ConflictAppellate ReviewEmployer Appeal
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Engler v. United Parcel Service

Claimant, a delivery driver for United Parcel Service, filed a workers' compensation claim in 2001, alleging interstitial pulmonary fibrosis due to exposure to dust and irritants. Initially, a Workers' Compensation Law Judge found he suffered an occupational disease and permanent partial disability. The Workers' Compensation Board affirmed, but the Court reversed in 2003, remitting the case to consider accidental injury. In an amended decision, the Board ruled claimant sustained an accidental injury from airborne irritants. The employer and carrier appealed again. The Court affirmed the Board's decision, finding substantial evidence that the claimant's condition arose from unusual environmental factors within his delivery vehicle, consistent with medical opinions linking his lung disease to mixed dust exposure at work.

Interstitial Pulmonary FibrosisOccupational ExposureWorkers' Compensation BenefitsCausally Related InjuryDelivery Vehicle EnvironmentAirborne IrritantsMedical TestimonyBiopsy FindingsSubstantial EvidenceAppellate Review
References
9
Case No. SAL 0103596
Regular
Jan 07, 2008

CHRISTIE GAYNES vs. GRANITE ROCK COMPANY, ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board dismissed the applicant's petition for reconsideration. The applicant sought to have a medical evaluation by an anesthesiologist or neurologist, arguing the chosen Agreed Medical Evaluator (AME), an orthopedist, lacked the necessary expertise for her specific nerve pain. The Board found the petition untimely and upheld the WCJ's recommendation for dismissal.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationOrder Compelling AttendanceMedical EvaluationAgreed Medical Evaluator (AME)Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME)WCJReport and RecommendationDismissed PetitionTimeliness
References
0
Case No. ADJ4585939 (VNO 0527178) ADJ2581067 (VNO 0527236)
Regular
Jan 02, 2014

KATHLEEN NUTT vs. TEHACHAPI VALLEY HEALTH CARE DISTRICT, ALPHA FUND

This Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) decision granted reconsideration and affirmed a prior ruling, with a key amendment. The amendment expanded the applicant's entitlement to further medical treatment to cure and relieve the effects of her industrial psychiatric injury, hypertension, fibromyalgia, sleep disorder, and irritable bowel syndrome. The WCAB adopted and incorporated the administrative law judge's report into its decision.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationWCJindustrial psychiatric injuryindustrial hypertensionfibromyalgiasleep disorderirritable bowel syndromefurther medical treatmentcure and relieve
References
0
Case No. ADJ7320474
Regular
Jun 08, 2015

XOCHILT GAMEZ vs. JP MORGAN CHASE & CO.; LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

This case concerns a petition to reopen for new and further disability related to a psyche and irritable bowel syndrome injury. The defendant argued the applicant did not sustain new and further disability, but the WCAB granted reconsideration. The Board amended the original findings to clarify that all outstanding issues, including permanent disability, are deferred with jurisdiction reserved. The WCAB affirmed the substance of the WCJ's decision, granting the petition to reopen for new and further disability.

new and further disabilityPetition to ReopenLabor Code section 5410Labor Code section 5803psyche injuryirritable bowel syndromepermanent disabilitytemporary partial disabilitywage lossjurisdiction reserved
References
0
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