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

Case No. ADJ4299001
Regular
Mar 08, 2010

JOAQUIN CORTEZ vs. FRU-CON CONSTRUCTION CORPORTION, ZURICH NORTH AMERICAN INSURANCE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration to review the permanent disability rating of 54% awarded to applicant Joaquin Cortez. The defendant argued the rating was improperly calculated under *Ogilvie II*, which dictates the burden of proof lies with the party rebutting the scheduled rating. The WCAB found the vocational expert's analysis flawed due to contradictory assumptions about the applicant's pre- and post-injury earning capacity. Consequently, the WCAB reversed the 54% award, finding the applicant failed to rebut the scheduled 13% permanent disability rating and issued an award for 13% disability.

Ogilvie IIOgilvie IDFECPermanent DisabilityReconsiderationRebuttalVocational ExpertWhole Person ImpairmentRAND dataLabor Code section 4660
References
Case No. ADJ2290172
Regular
Apr 26, 2011

LINDA JENKINS vs. FAMILY PRACTICE MEDICAL ASSOCIATES, EMPLOYERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE COMPANY

This case involved applicant Linda Jenkins seeking to reopen her workers' compensation award based on a change in the law following the *Ogilvie* decisions. The WCJ found good cause to reopen, ruling that *Ogilvie* established a new framework for rebutting the diminished future earning capacity (DFEC) component of permanent disability ratings. The defendant argued *res judicata* barred reopening and that *Ogilvie* was merely a clarification, not a change in law. The Appeals Board affirmed the WCJ's decision, holding that *Ogilvie* did indeed represent a significant change in law regarding DFEC rebuttal and permitted the reopening of applicant's case.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationFindings & OrderChange in LawOgilvieDiminished Future Earning Capacity (DFEC)RebuttalRes JudicataPermanent DisabilityAMA Guides
References
Case No. ADJ2079252
Regular
Jan 25, 2010

JON SHINI vs. PACIFIC COAST AUTO BODY & TRUCK, FARMERS SANTA ANA

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration and rescinded the prior award due to the administrative law judge's (WCJ) failure to fully analyze the issues presented in *Ogilvie I* and *Ogilvie II*. Specifically, the WCJ improperly applied the diminished future earning capacity (DFEC) rebuttal formula without sufficient evidentiary development regarding the applicant's post-injury earnings and potential for malingering. The Board remanded the case for further proceedings to conduct a complete *Ogilvie* analysis, including weighing the scheduled rating against the adjusted DFEC factor and considering factors such as the applicant's credibility. The defendant's contention regarding industrial injury to the psyche was not addressed, with the Board allowing it to be raised in further proceedings.

OgilvieDiminished Future Earning CapacityDFECReconsiderationRebuttalPermanent Disability Rating SchedulePost-injury earningsEarning capacityAgreed Medical EvaluatorMalingering
References
Case No. ADJ377932 (SRO 140247)
Regular
Sep 07, 2010

BARBARA PENNY vs. COMMUNITY ACTON PARTNERSHIP OF SONOMA COUNTY, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

In this case, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration of a prior award concerning applicant Barbara Penny's industrial injury. The WCAB rescinded the award and returned the matter for further proceedings. This decision was primarily based on the need to properly develop the record regarding the applicant's diminished future earning capacity (DFEC), specifically concerning the methodology for calculating lost earnings. The WCAB also noted that the applicant's claim for further medical treatment for body parts beyond the low back could be raised again at the trial level.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardBarbara PennyCommunity Action Partnership of Sonoma CountyState Compensation Insurance FundADJ377932Opinion and Order Granting Petitions for ReconsiderationDecision After ReconsiderationFindings and AwardIndustrial InjuryCase Manager
References
Case No. ADJ2262922 (SRO 0041418)
Regular
Jul 07, 2011

DEBBIE LEVINE vs. STARBUCKS, INC., GALLAGHER BASSETT SERVICES, INC.

The applicant sought reconsideration of a permanent disability rating of 42%, arguing the vocational expert's assessment of diminished future earning capacity (DFEC) was rebutted and that Labor Code section 4662 should apply for total disability. The Appeals Board denied the petition, finding that the applicant failed to present substantial evidence to rebut the DFEC, as she never sought employment and her vocational expert's opinion was largely attributed to economic factors. Furthermore, the Board found no basis for applying Labor Code section 4662, as the applicant's alleged permanent total disability was not supported by persuasive medical or vocational evidence. The applicant's unsupported claim of zero earning capacity was contradicted by medical opinions.

Diminished Future Earning Capacity2005 PDRSOgilvie IOgilvie IIrebuttalLabor Code section 4662permanent total disabilityvocational expertsubstantial evidenceAME
References
Case No. ADJ2360182 (MON 0334561) ADJ493129 (MON 0334562) ADJ3850358 (MON 0334563)
Regular
Oct 18, 2010

YOLANDA M. PIDECH vs. METROPOLITAN STATE HOSPITAL, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Appeals Board rescinded the prior award and returned the case for further proceedings because the WCJ did not adequately consider the applicant's post-injury earning capacity as required by *Ogilvie I* and *Ogilvie II*. The WCJ failed to adequately explain the calculation of the applicant's earnings loss and did not provide substantial medical evidence supporting her inability to work. The Board requires further development of the record, particularly medical opinions on work capacity, before a complete *Ogilvie* analysis can be performed. This includes assessing whether the earning loss is industrially caused and weighing the adjusted DFEC factor against the scheduled factor.

Ogilvie analysisDFEC rebuttalpost-injury earning capacitypermanent disability ratingAgreed Medical Evaluatorsubstantial medical evidencevocational rehabilitationloss of earning capacityindustrial injurytemporary disability
References
Case No. ADJ1329489
Regular
Sep 06, 2011

CHAVA COHEN vs. SHERIDAN ASSISTED LIVING, INC., STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case concerns vocational consultant Judie Fogel's request for reconsideration of a prior Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) decision. The WCAB previously rescinded an order for defendants to pay Fogel $1,700.00 for "medical legal expense for issues relating to the Ogilvie case," finding her testimony deficient and thus non-recoverable costs. Fogel argued her testimony addressed more than just Ogilvie issues, including average weekly wages, and that it was not necessary for her to independently calculate wage loss. The WCAB denied reconsideration, reiterating that Fogel was retained specifically for Ogilvie issues and her testimony remained deficient, citing precedent.

Vocational consultantReconsiderationOpinion and OrderMedical legal expenseOgilvie caseWage lossAverage weekly wagesPermanent disability ratingReimbursementEn banc decisions
References
Case No. ADJ6721939
Regular
Mar 01, 2010

BERTHA NORIEGA GARCIA vs. PATRICK L. HINRICHSEN, CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES INSURANCE COMPANY

This case is remanded for further proceedings because the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) did not fully analyze the Diminished Future Earning Capacity (DFEC) adjustment factor under the *Ogilvie* decisions. The ALJ improperly relied solely on applicant's testimony for lost earnings without a proper *Ogilvie* analysis, including the duration of post-injury earnings and consideration of other factors affecting earning capacity. The ALJ must conduct a complete *Ogilvie* analysis, weigh the evidence, and explain how the adjusted DFEC factor reflects the applicant's actual earning capacity compared to the scheduled rating. The Board also clarified that temporary disability indemnity is not to be treated as post-injury earnings.

Diminished Future Earning CapacityDFECOgilvie analysisRebuttalScheduled Permanent Disability RatingPost-injury earningsEarnings lossTemporary disability indemnityPermanent and stationary dateTriers-of-fact
References
Case No. ADJ460838 (SBR 0324688)
Regular
Feb 08, 2010

ERNEST CARMICHAEL, JR. vs. CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board rescinded the prior award, finding the judge failed to adequately analyze the applicant's post-injury earnings loss under the *Ogilvie* standard. The applicant must prove that their earnings loss is directly caused by the industrial injury, not unrelated factors like psychiatric conditions or voluntary retirement. VA and Social Security disability benefits are not considered "earnings" for these calculations. The case is remanded for a proper *Ogilvie* analysis of the causes of the applicant's earning capacity.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardFindings and AwardReconsiderationPermanent DisabilitySubstantial Medical EvidencePermanent Disability Rating ScheduleVeteran's Administration disability benefitsSocial Security benefitsPost-injury earnings lossOgilvie analysis
References
Case No. ADJ599430 (STK 0213932)
Regular
Nov 01, 2010

SANTIAGO GUAJARDO vs. KELLY SERVICES AND ACE INSURANCE adj. by ESIS

This case involves an applicant who sustained a back injury, resulting in a 34% permanent disability rating without apportionment. The defendant sought reconsideration, arguing the administrative law judge erred by not applying the diminished future earning capacity (DFEC) factor as per *Ogilvie*. The majority of the Appeals Board denied the reconsideration, adopting the judge's report. However, one Commissioner dissented, believing the applicant failed to meet their burden of proof under *Ogilvie* due to insufficient and unreliable evidence regarding post-injury earnings and earning capacity, and inconsistent testimony regarding limitations.

Diminished Future Earning CapacityOgilvie analysisvocational expertpermanent disability rating scheduleindustrial injuryapportionmentPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardAppeals Board en bancburden of proof
References
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