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

Case No. ADJ9443336 ADJ9779744
Regular
Nov 25, 2019

JAMES KWASIGROCH vs. SUBSEQUENT INJURIES BENEFIT TRUST FUND OF CALIFORNIA

This case concerns the calculation of combined permanent disability for Subsequent Injuries Benefit Trust Fund (SIBTF) benefits. The applicant, James Kwasigroch, received awards for a prior disability of 63% and a subsequent disability of 74%. The central dispute was whether to add these percentages directly or use a Combined Values Chart (CVC) as the trial judge did. The Appeals Board reversed the trial judge's decision, holding that non-overlapping prior and subsequent disabilities should be added based on the precedent set in *Bookout v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.* This resulted in a finding of 100% combined permanent disability and an adjustment to attorney's fees.

Subsequent Injuries Benefit Trust FundCombined Values ChartBookout v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.Permanent Disability RatingApportionmentMultiple Disabilities TablesPyramidingOverlapNon-overlapping disabilitiesLabor Code section 4751
References
Case No. ADJ2212207 (STK 0188509)
Regular
Dec 17, 2008

Burl Gene Condit vs. CITY OF MODESTO, Permissibly Self-Insured

In this case, the applicant sought reconsideration of a workers' compensation award that significantly reduced his permanent disability benefits due to apportionment based on prior injuries. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration, finding the trial judge erred by placing the burden on the applicant to prove lack of overlap. The Board clarified that under Labor Code section 4664, the defendant bears the burden of proving that prior permanent disability overlaps with the current disability. Consequently, the case was returned to the trial level for further proceedings on the issue of overlap.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationFindings and AwardPermanent DisabilityApportionmentLabor Code Section 4664Prior AwardsOverlapBurden of ProofKopping v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.
References
Case No. ADJ2192153 (OXN 0130828) ADJ710643 (VEN 0118981)
Regular
Jan 21, 2011

Shelley Moran vs. DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH AUTHORITY, Legally Uninsured STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration, upholding its prior decision that the Department of Youth Authority failed to meet its burden of proof for apportionment. The defendant argued the WCJ's decision regarding overlapping disabilities should have been given greater weight, but the Board found the defendant did not establish sufficient evidence of overlap. Based on *Kopping v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.*, the Board affirmed that the defendant retains the burden to prove both the existence of a prior award and the extent of overlap. Therefore, the applicant is entitled to an unapportioned award of 100% permanent disability.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPermanent DisabilityReconsiderationLabor Code section 4664ApportionmentOverlapCumulative TraumaBurden of ProofMedical RecordWCJ
References
Case No. ADJ3192331
Regular
Feb 17, 2010

AURORA REALIVASQUEZ vs. TURBOT JET PRODUCTS, INC., STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The applicant sought reconsideration of a Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) decision that awarded 50% permanent disability, apportioned from a prior award. The applicant argued the defendant failed to prove the prior award's disability overlapped with the current injury. The WCAB denied reconsideration, finding the defendant met its burden by demonstrating overlapping subjective factors of disability between the prior and current injuries, based on medical reports from Dr. Capen and Dr. Danzig. This overlap in disability affecting the same earning abilities justified the apportionment under Labor Code section 4664(b).

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationFindings and AwardPermanent DisabilityApportionmentIndustrial InjuryNeck InjuryShoulder InjuryBimanual InjuryCumulative Trauma
References
Case No. ADJ9171432
Regular
Apr 25, 2016

Kenneth Evanoff vs. CITY OF LOS ANGELES, SUBSEQUENT INJURIES BENEFITS TRUST FUND

This case involves an applicant seeking reconsideration of a workers' compensation award. The applicant, previously awarded 96% permanent disability for a 2007 injury, suffered a subsequent injury in 2012 resulting in prostate cancer. The initial award used the Combined Values Chart to calculate the combined disability at 98%, entitling him to benefits from the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF). The applicant argues the trial judge erred by using the Combined Values Chart and seeks to simply add the disability percentages, leading to a 100% combined disability. The Board granted reconsideration, finding that in the absence of overlapping disabilities, the disabilities should be added, entitling the applicant to a 100% permanent disability rating and remanding for a new award.

Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust FundSIBTFCumulative Trauma InjuryPermanent DisabilityCombined Values ChartLabor Code section 4664(c)(1)(G)Whole Person ImpairmentWPIDate of InjuryDate of Knowledge
References
Case No. AHM 0096520, AHM 0109949 AHM 0095770, AHM 0095602
Regular
Aug 03, 2007

DONALD HORTON vs. LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and vacated the prior award due to procedural errors in calculating permanent disability, specifically the improper handling of overlap and apportionment. The Board remanded the case to the trial level for further proceedings, requiring the Workers' Compensation Judge to issue new rating instructions that properly address these issues. The prior award was amended to defer decisions on permanent disability, overlap, apportionment, and attorney fees.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardDonald HortonLos Angeles County Fire DepartmentJoint Findings and AwardIndustrial InjuryFirefighterPermanent DisabilityApportionmentOverlapFormal Rating
References
Case No. MON 313615; MON 312443; MON 315655; MON 315656
Regular
Sep 11, 2007

BRUCE BALBIRNIE vs. CITY OF LONG BEACH

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration, upholding the finding of 74% permanent disability for the applicant fire captain. The Board found that the defendant employer failed to meet its burden of proof to demonstrate overlap with prior awards, citing that prior awards lacked specific work restrictions and applied to different body parts. The Court affirmed that the employer must prove the extent of overlap between prior and current disabilities to justify apportionment.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsideration DeniedFire CaptainIndustrial InjuryInternal OrgansHypertensionCervical SpineLumbosacral SpineRight KneeHearing Loss
References
Case No. ADJ2894818 (SRO 0132752)
Regular
Mar 02, 2009

DAVID L. BROWN vs. COUNTY OF MENDOCINO, Permissibly Self-Insured, by CLAIMS MANAGEMENT, INC.

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board rescinded a prior award and returned the case for further proceedings, finding that the administrative law judge erred in issuing an unapportioned permanent disability award. The Board determined that the doctor's report clearly indicated overlap between the applicant's two cardiac impairments, requiring apportionment. While there was no clear evidence for apportionment to the applicant's prior spinal disability, the Board directed the trial level to obtain a new rating that accounts for the duplication in the cardiac conditions. This decision ensures a more accurate and equitable permanent disability assessment by considering the overlap in impairments.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardADJ2894818SRO 0132752David L. BrownCounty of MendocinoClaims Management Inc.ReconsiderationSupplemental Findings Award OrderPermanent DisabilityApportionment
References
Case No. ADJ11054646, ADJ11055389, ADJ10719681
Regular
Apr 07, 2025

ALAN NEWELL vs. METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT

Applicant Alan Newell sought reconsideration of a WCJ's Findings and Awards from January 3, 2025, concerning two industrial injuries. The WCJ had rated permanent disability by combining all impairments, contrary to the Agreed Medical Evaluator Dr. Chester A. Hasday's opinion on how to combine impairments based on overlapping Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, finding that Dr. Hasday's pre-Vigil decision rebuttal analysis for combining impairments based on ADL overlap was valid, and the record needed further development. The case was remanded to defer the issues of permanent disability and apportionment for further analysis.

Petition for ReconsiderationPermanent DisabilityApportionmentCombined Values ChartActivities of Daily Living (ADLs)Medical TreatmentAgreed Medical EvaluatorOrthopedistLabor Code Section 4663Rebuttal
References
Case No. ADJ3416937 (SRO 0141443) ADJ4476347 (SRO 0118020)
Regular
Apr 25, 2011

TIMOTHY ROBINSON vs. COUNTY OF SONOMA, Permissibly Self-Insured

This case concerns apportionment of permanent disability for an injured correctional officer. The applicant sustained an admitted industrial injury to his neck, resulting in a 12% permanent disability after initial apportionment. The WCJ calculated a total permanent disability of 43%, then apportioned 20% to non-industrial factors under Labor Code section 4663. Further apportionment occurred for a prior low back injury under Labor Code section 4664, using a converted rating from the old schedule to the new AMA Guides. The Appeals Board affirmed the WCJ's decision, finding no prohibition against applying both section 4663 and section 4664 apportionment, and deeming the prior injury properly converted and subtracted. A dissenting opinion argued that the older rating schedule's "overlap" concept is incompatible with the current AMA Guides method, and that the defendant failed to prove overlap for the prior injury.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCounty of SonomaTimothy RobinsonCorrectional OfficerIndustrial InjuryNeck InjuryPermanent DisabilityApportionmentLabor Code Section 4663Labor Code Section 4664
References
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