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. ADJ8739571
Regular
Dec 11, 2015

MARVIN BENARD vs. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS, ACE INSURANCE COMPANY, U.S. FIDELITY AND GUARANTY INSURANCE COMPANY

In this workers' compensation case, the Appeals Board reversed the WCJ's decision, finding the applicant's claim was not barred by the statute of limitations. The Board determined the defendant failed to meet its burden of proving the applicant had actual knowledge of his workers' compensation rights more than one year before filing his claim. Crucially, the defendant did not provide notice of these rights, and the applicant's knowledge of his injury's industrial cause did not equate to knowledge of his rights to benefits. Therefore, the case was returned for further proceedings.

Cumulative traumaStatute of limitationsDate of injuryKnowledge of rightsTollingAffirmative defenseReconsiderationBurden of proofProfessional athleteNotice of rights
References
Case No. ADJ10425864, ADJ7159539
Regular
Dec 24, 2018

GHASSAN MOSRIE vs. CHURCH OF THE CHIMES, GUIDEONE INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinding a prior finding that the applicant's 2008 injury claim was barred by the statute of limitations. The Board determined that imputed knowledge from the applicant's attorney does not constitute actual knowledge for tolling purposes. The employer's failure to provide statutory notice of rights, coupled with the applicant's lack of actual knowledge, prejudiced the applicant. Therefore, the Board found the applicant's claim for the November 8, 2008 injury is not barred by the statute of limitations, deferring other issues.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationStatute of LimitationsTollingClaim FormNotice of Potential EligibilityWaiverMandatory Settlement ConferenceAffirmative DefenseActual Knowledge
References
Case No. ADJ6937263
Regular
Sep 09, 2014

PAUL ESCUDERO vs. CISCO SYSTEMS, INC., ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied Cisco Systems' petition for reconsideration, upholding the finding that the applicant's claim was not barred by the statute of limitations. The Board adopted the WCJ's reasoning that Cisco failed to prove the applicant had actual knowledge of his workers' compensation rights. Specifically, the employer did not provide legally required notices, and the applicant's vague consultation with a civil attorney did not constitute sufficient actual knowledge to start the statute of limitations. The Board also noted that actual knowledge cannot be imputed solely by an employee's representation by counsel.

Statute of limitationsTollingActual knowledgeWorkers' compensation rightsEmployer noticeCivil attorneyImputed knowledgePetition for ReconsiderationWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardAdministrative law judge
References
Case No. ADJ7109517
Regular
May 05, 2011

DWAYNE RUDD vs. OAKLAND RAIDERS AND ACE/USA, Administered by ESIS, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS, Permissibly Self-Insured, Administered by NOVA PRO RISK SOLUTIONS

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration to reverse a prior decision and found applicant Dwayne Rudd's claim barred by the statute of limitations. Despite the WCJ finding defendants estopped to assert the defense due to notice violations, the Board determined Rudd possessed actual knowledge of his workers' compensation rights. This knowledge was evidenced by his signing of a DWC-1 form and retaining multiple law firms to pursue prior, dismissed claims for the same cumulative trauma injury. Therefore, the Board concluded there was no prejudice from the lack of notice, and the claim was untimely.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardDwayne RuddOakland RaidersACE/USATampa Bay BuccaneersNova Pro Risk Solutionsindustrial cumulative traumaprofessional football playerstatute of limitationsestoppel
References
Case No. ADJ9761409, ADJ10946911
Regular
Sep 11, 2018

ANGELA COLE vs. MARCONI CONFERENCE CENTER, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND, AMERICAN INSURANCE CO.

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration, reversing a prior finding that SCIF was solely liable for applicant's cumulative injury. The Board determined the correct Labor Code section 5412 date of injury was December 10, 2014, based on the concurrence of disability and knowledge of its industrial nature. Consequently, the Labor Code section 5500.5(a) liability period is the year preceding that date, making American Insurance Company, the carrier during that period, solely liable for compensation. The Board rescinded the prior award and issued a new decision and award against American Insurance Company.

Labor Code section 5500.5Labor Code section 5412cumulative injurydate of injurydisabilityknowledgeliability periodconcurrent disability and knowledgetemporary disabilitypermanent disability
References
Case No. ADJ3445477
Regular
Jan 16, 2009

Deborah Newell vs. Ford Construction Company

The WCJ found that Dennis Newell's death was caused by Ford's failure to provide a safe workplace. Both the applicant and Ford sought reconsideration, which was denied.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardSerious and Willful MisconductLabor Code sections 6400 et seq8 Cal. Code Regs. 50428 Cal. Code Regs. 5002ForemanIndustrial InjuryDeath BenefitSafe Place to WorkExecutive Knowledge
References
Case No. ADJ16246113
Regular
Sep 15, 2025

ELMER HERNANDEZ vs. TACO BELL, PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION INSURANCE COMPANIES

This case involves a defendant's petition for reconsideration and removal concerning an order compelling discovery of market rate guidelines and the identity of a knowledgeable person. The Appeals Board dismissed the reconsideration petition, deeming it untimely and from a non-final order, and denied the removal petition. The Board found the defendant failed to establish attorney work-product privilege, as no attorney asserted the privilege and no evidence demonstrated the guidelines were attorney work-product. Finally, the defendant waived its argument regarding the knowledgeable person by failing to adequately brief the issue.

Cost petitionerAttorney work productMarket rate guidelinesPerson most knowledgeablePetition for reconsiderationPetition for removalFindings and OrderWCJSubstantial prejudiceIrreparable harm
References
Case No. ADJ10431269 ADJ10588231
Regular
Feb 26, 2018

JUAN ALVARADO vs. DISCOVERY FOODS, LLC, TRAVELERS PROPERTY CASUALTY COMPANY OF AMERICA

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration, upholding a prior decision. The Board found that the employer, Discovery Foods, LLC, failed to prove applicant Juan Alvarado was adequately notified of his workers' compensation rights. Crucially, Labor Code section 5401(b) mandates notices be in both English and Spanish, and Alvarado does not read English. The Board clarified that general knowledge of the workers' compensation system does not equate to actual knowledge of potential eligibility for a specific injury. Finally, the employer waived the defense of laches by failing to raise it at trial.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationLabor Code Section 5401(b)Spanish language noticeActual knowledgePrejudiceStatute of limitationsTollingLachesWaiver
References
Case No. ADJ1468790 (RIV 0078105)
Regular
Feb 21, 2014

AUSTREBERTO FLORES, EFIGENIA FLORES vs. CARSON CAPITAL CORPORATION, AMERICAN HOME ASSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed the administrative law judge's finding that applicants failed to prove a serious and willful violation or safety violation causing the decedent's death. The WCJ found the employer had no knowledge of the cart's mechanical issues, deeming the throttle spring break a spontaneous event. The Board upheld this, giving more weight to the credible testimony of the employer and defense witness over unsworn hearsay statements from co-employees not produced for cross-examination. A dissenting commissioner argued for further development of the record, noting consistent employee statements suggesting employer knowledge of mechanical problems and failure to act.

Serious and willful violationSafety violationDeath benefitsCompromise and ReleasePetition for ReconsiderationFindings and OrderCompetent hearsayDeposeCross-examinationCredibility findings
References
Case No. ADJ10232171
Regular
Apr 10, 2017

HERMAN O'BERRY vs. WORLD LEAGUE OF AMERICAN FOOTBALL aka NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE EUROPE (NFL EUROPE), ST. LOUIS RAMS, FAIRMONT PREMIER INSURANCE COMPANY (TIG)

This case concerns a workers' compensation claim for cumulative injury filed by a former professional football player against his former employers and their insurer. The primary issue was the statute of limitations, specifically the date of injury under Labor Code Section 5412, which is when the employee first suffered disability and knew or should have known it was work-related. The Board granted reconsideration to clarify this date, finding that the applicant's filing of his claim application on December 17, 2015, was the earliest documented evidence of his knowledge of the connection between his employment and his cumulative injury, establishing this as the date of injury. The employer's exemption from providing notice under Section 3600.5(e) did not alter this determination regarding the applicant's actual knowledge.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardNFL EuropeSt. Louis RamsLabor Code section 5405Labor Code section 5412cumulative injurydate of injurystatute of limitationspetition for reconsiderationApplication for Adjudication of Claim
References
Showing 1-10 of 199 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