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Case Law Database

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

Case No. ADJ9625407
Regular
Sep 12, 2018

KEITH FIELD vs. CITY OF PINOLE

This case involves a firefighter who sustained bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome after retirement. The Appeals Board reversed the trial judge, holding that Labor Code section 4458.5 applies, entitling the applicant to permanent disability benefits calculated at the maximum indemnity rate. This applies regardless of the applicant's actual earnings or the fact that carpal tunnel syndrome is not a specifically enumerated presumptive injury. The case is remanded for determination of the precise date of injury to calculate the benefit rate.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardKeith FieldCity of PinolePermissibly Self-InsuredMunicipal Pooling AuthorityADJ9625407Opinion and Decision After Reconsiderationindustrial injuryfirefighterbilateral upper extremities
References
Case No. ADJ7232076
En Banc
Sep 26, 2011

Tsegay Messele vs. Pitco Foods, Inc.; California Insurance Company

The Appeals Board holds that the 10-day period for agreeing on an AME under Labor Code § 4062.2(b) is extended by five days when the initial proposal is served by mail, and clarifies the method for calculating this time period, finding both parties' panel requests premature.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardTsegay MesselePitco FoodsInc.California Insurance CompanyADJ7232076Opinion and Decision After ReconsiderationOrder Granting RemovalDecision After RemovalEn Banc
References
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 The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr.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. LAO 823855, LAO 823856
Regular
Oct 03, 2007

PEDRO M. RODRIGUEZ vs. RALPHS GROCERY COMPANY

The applicant sought reconsideration of a denial of workers' compensation benefits, which was based on the finding that his claims were filed after notice of termination. The Board affirmed the denial, concluding that the applicant's job abandonment led to a termination prior to the filing of his claims. The Board also determined that the employer properly denied both the specific and cumulative trauma claims, thus negating a presumption of compensability.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and OrderFindings of FactAdministrative Law JudgeApplicantDefendantRalphs Grocery CompanySecurity GuardIndustrial Injury
References
Case No. ADJ3133261 (VNO 0400017)
Regular
Aug 17, 2010

FELIPE TOLENTINO vs. CONCO CEMENT, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, XCHANGING INC., FREMONT COMPENSATION

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) dismissed the lien claimant's petition for reconsideration as premature. The WCAB granted the defendant's petition for reconsideration regarding the temporary disability overpayment issue, deferring it for further proceedings. The Board affirmed the WCJ's findings on injury causation and permanent disability but amended the decision to clarify the overpayment issue. Finally, the WCAB issued a notice of intention to sanction defendant's counsel for attaching and citing unadmitted evidence.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardFELIPE TOLENTINOCONCO CEMENTCALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATIONXCHANGING INC.FREMONT COMPENSATIONliquidationADJ3133261VNO 0400017OPINION AND ORDERS DISMISSING PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION AND GRANTING PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION
References
Case No. ADJ3317169 (FRE 0210465); ADJ2130054 (FRE 0162261); ADJ4055925 (FRE 0210461); ADJ728821 (FRE 0210462); ADJ2475719 (FRE 0210463); ADJ3052880 (FRE 0226010); ADJ207659 (FRE 0210464)
Regular
May 21, 2025

Earl Meyers vs. Fresno Unified School District, CNA Claims Plus

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) affirmed the Workers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge's (WCJ) June 9, 2021, Joint Findings of Fact, Award, and Opinion on Decision. The WCJ had found the applicant, Earl Meyers, to be 100% permanently totally disabled due to multiple industrial injuries precluding him from vocational rehabilitation and competing in the open labor market. Defendant, Fresno Unified School District, petitioned for reconsideration, arguing misapplication of Labor Code sections 4662 and 4663 regarding apportionment and insufficient evidence for total disability. The Board, reviewing medical and vocational expert opinions, concluded that the defendant failed to provide substantial medical evidence for apportionment of the applicant's work restrictions to non-industrial causes, thereby upholding the 100% permanent total disability finding.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardJoint Findings of FactAwardOpinion on DecisionPetition for Reconsiderationvocational rehabilitationopen labor marketpermanent total disabilityapportionmentLabor Code Section 4662
References
Case No. ADJ10256108, ADJ10255968, ADJ10256212, ADJ10256223, ADJ10489875
Regular
Sep 23, 2022

JOSEPH RYAN vs. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Appeals Board affirmed the finding of permanent and total disability for the applicant, Joseph Ryan, stemming from industrial injuries sustained while employed as a correctional captain. However, the Board remanded the matter for further proceedings to specifically address apportionment of the permanent disability under Labor Code section 4663, considering the Agreed Medical Evaluator's opinion on pre-existing spinal disease. The Board found that the applicant's specific and cumulative trauma injuries to his spine resulted in intertwined disabilities, justifying a combined award, but that Dr. Hasday's apportionment findings require further development and determination at the trial level.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardJoseph RyanCalifornia Department of CorrectionsLegally UninsuredState Compensation Insurance FundADJ10256108ADJ10255968ADJ10256212ADJ10256223ADJ10489875
References
Case No. ADJ240116 (OXN 0145413)
Regular
May 03, 2010

Veronica L. Olejniczak vs. Airport Chevron, State Compensation Insurance Fund

This case concerns applicant Veronica Olejniczak's petition for reconsideration of a workers' compensation award for a 1997 injury. The applicant argued for permanent total disability based on chronic pain and inability to compete in the labor market, citing medical opinions. The Board affirmed the original award, finding the WCJ correctly applied the 2005 Permanent Disability Rating Schedule, which mandates the use of the AMA Guides for impairment ratings. The Board clarified that diminished ability to compete in the open labor market is no longer a factor under current law, with earning capacity now being assessed via a statutory formula.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPermanent DisabilityReconsiderationFindings and AwardLumbar SpineCervical SpineBilateral KneesChronic PainPsychiatric DisabilityApportionment
References
Case No. ADJ4604933 (LBO 0347944) ADJ441100 (LBO 0347945) ADJ1350325 (LBO 0347946) ADJ2864784 (LBO 0347947) ADJ2043098 (LBO 0339856)
Regular
Nov 08, 2010

PETER AVALOS vs. RALPH'S GROCERY COMPANY

Defendant Ralph's Grocery Company sought reconsideration of an award finding applicant Peter Avalos sustained cumulative trauma injuries. The defendant contested the temporary total disability award, arguing the applicant had left the labor market and the award exceeded the statute of limitations. Furthermore, Ralph's argued the permanent disability finding lacked due process and proper apportionment due to inadmissible evidence and multiple prior injuries. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration to defer the permanent disability issue for further proceedings.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCumulative trauma injuryTemporary total disabilityPermanent disabilityApportionmentLabor marketDue processSubstantial evidencePrivate permanent disability ratingAdmissibility
References
Case No. ADJ102175 (MON 0317302)
Regular
Mar 22, 2011

TERRY LYNN ROSS vs. BERNARD & SONS, INC., STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

In this workers' compensation case, the Appeals Board affirmed a finding of 100% permanent disability for Terry Lynn Ross, a truck driver injured in 2004. The defendant contested the total disability finding, arguing the wrong rating schedule was applied and medical evidence didn't support the rating. The Board found the 2005 rating schedule was applicable and that medical opinions from multiple physicians, particularly Dr. Salick's, established the applicant's inability to compete in the open labor market, thus supporting the total disability award. The Board also reaffirmed that permanent total disability can be established under Labor Code Section 4662 based on factual inability to work, even if the scheduled rating is less than 100%.

Permanent disability rating scheduleWhole Person ImpairmentAgreed Medical ExaminerQualified Medical EvaluationPain Related ImpairmentFuture earning capacityOpen labor marketVocational rehabilitationLabor Code Section 4662AMA Guides
References
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