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

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 The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr.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. ADJ4134943 (LAO 0800933), ADJ2639030 (LAO 0847979)
Regular
Jan 14, 2016

ARTURO GUILLEN vs. PRO AMERICA PREMIUM TOOLS, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, INTERCARE INSURANCE SERVICES, PACIFIC NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY, HIGHLANDS INSURANCE COMPANY

This case involves a petition for reconsideration by Highlands Insurance Company regarding a prior decision that found the applicant sustained two cumulative trauma injuries. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed its prior decision, finding one injury occurred when Pacific National Insurance Company was the insurer and the second injury occurred when Highlands was the insurer. Highlands argued the applicant sustained only one cumulative trauma injury or a single specific injury. The Board denied Highlands' petition, upholding the determination of two distinct cumulative trauma injuries.

Cumulative trauma injuryCalifornia Insurance Guarantee AssociationCIGAPacific National Insurance CompanyHighlands Insurance CompanyPro America Premium ToolsPetition for ReconsiderationDecision After Reconsiderationinsurer in liquidationservicing facility
References
Case No. ADJ7432904
Regular
Sep 24, 2012

NEDA MOTAVAKEL vs. FANTASTIC SAM'S, TOWER SELECT INSURANCE CO., ILLINOIS MIDWEST INSURANCE AGENCY, LLP, STAR INSURANCE CO., ILLINOIS MIDWEST INSURANCE AGENCY, LLP, ENDURANCE WORKERS' COMPENSATION, SOUTHERN INSURANCE CO., FIRSTCOMP OMAHA

This case involves an appeal by Star and Tower Insurance Companies regarding a workers' compensation award. The primary issue is the applicant's average weekly earnings, specifically the inclusion of tip income, which was not adequately substantiated by documentary evidence. The Appeals Board found the initial decision lacked substantial evidence regarding earnings and rescinded the award. The matter is remanded for further proceedings to properly develop the evidentiary record on earnings and insurance coverage dates before a new decision is issued.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardNeda MotavakelFantastic Sam'sTower Select Insurance CompanyStar Insurance CompanyIllinois Midwest Insurance AgencyLLEndurance Workers' CompensationSouthern Insurance CompanyFirstComp Omaha
References
Case No. ADJ700106 (SAL 0075388) ADJ4293270 (SAL 0067937) ADJ3847224 (SAL 0067938) ADJ1646200 (SAL 0011386)
Regular
Sep 01, 2015

WILLIE PEARSON vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, Chamberlain's Children Center, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, SUPERIOR NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY

In this workers' compensation case, CIGA sought to be relieved of liability for applicant's medical treatment, arguing that the State of California Department of Corrections ("the State") constituted "other insurance." The Appeals Board affirmed the WCJ's decision that the State does not qualify as "other insurance" under Insurance Code section 1063.1(c)(9)(A). Unlike private self-insured employers, the State is not required to obtain workers' compensation insurance or a certificate of self-insurance, and thus does not fall within the statutory definition of an "insurer." The Board further clarified that the State Compensation Insurance Fund's role in claim adjustment services for the State does not make it "other insurance" when the State is not otherwise insured with SCIF.

CIGASupernational Insurance Companylegally uninsuredother insurancecovered claimsInsurance Code Section 1063.1State of California Department of Correctionsreimbursementstipulated awardjoint and several liability
References
Case No. ADJ4684775 (VEN 0117727) ADJ4381820 (VEN 0117723)
Regular
Dec 19, 2011

JOANNE LUTZ, JOANN LUTZ vs. RUSSELL WARNER dba ROTO ROOTER SERVICES, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION for PAULA INSURANCE COMPANY, in liquidation, and for FREMONT INSURANCE COMPANY, in liquidation, LINDA McDONALD, STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board reversed a prior ruling, allowing CIGA to pursue reimbursement from State Farm for benefits paid due to applicant's industrial injuries. The Board found that unlike a request to alter a prior award, CIGA's petition sought to enforce its statutory right to reimbursement from "available" insurance under Insurance Code section 1063.1(c)(9). Since State Farm, as a jointly and severally liable insurer, appears to be such "available" insurance, the case is remanded for further proceedings on CIGA's reimbursement claim.

California Insurance Guarantee AssociationCIGAPaula Insurance CompanyFremont Insurance CompanyState Farm Insurance Companystipulated awardreconsiderationreimbursementcontributionother insurance
References
Case No. ADJ2081826 (VNO 0525965)
Regular
Jun 09, 2011

JANET TANZMAN vs. WARNER PACIFIC INSURANCE, EMPLOYER'S COMPENSATION INSURANCE COMPANY, FREMONT COMPENSATION INSURANCE COMPANY

This case involves a cumulative trauma injury where the applicant disputes the workers' compensation judge's findings on the injury's ending date and the responsible insurance carrier. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration due to an incomplete record and unclear stipulations regarding the injury period and specific body parts affected. The Board rescinded the prior decision, returning the matter for further proceedings to clarify these crucial issues, including the date of injury under Labor Code section 5412 and potential carrier liability under section 5500.5. Issues of insurance coverage disputes are subject to mandatory arbitration.

Cumulative traumaDate of injuryInsurance coverage disputeCIGAFremont Compensation Insurance CompanyEmployers Compensation Insurance CompanyStipulationsLabor Code section 5412Labor Code section 5500.5Mandatory arbitration
References
Case No. ADJ244571 (VEN 0110022) ADJ3315572 (VEN 0110023) ADJ3817980 (OXN 0145232) ADJ2004405 (OXN 0145234) ADJ4239471 (OXN 0145235)
Regular
Jan 19, 2010

DIANA HARDMAN vs. COMMUNITY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, AIG DOMESTIC CLAIMS, INC./CHARTIS, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, BROADSPIRE, CALIFORNIA COMPENSATION INSURANCE COMPANY, FREMONT COMPENSATION INSURANCE COMPANY, American Home Assurance

This case involves five workers' compensation claims by applicant Diana Hardman against Community Memorial Hospital, with American Home Assurance (AIG) as a defendant insurer. AIG seeks reconsideration of the WCJ's findings, arguing it should only be liable for permanent disability directly arising from injuries covered by its policies, not those covered by insolvent insurers now handled by CIGA. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the WCJ's decisions, and returned the matter for further proceedings. Key issues include the admissibility of a deposition, the apportionment of permanent disability based on recent appellate decisions, and clarification of liability for injuries that occurred during periods covered by multiple insurers, including insolvent ones.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardDiana HardmanCommunity Memorial HospitalAIG Domestic ClaimsCalifornia Insurance Guarantee AssociationBroads PireCalifornia Compensation Insurance CompanyFremont Compensation Insurance CompanyOpinion and Order Granting ReconsiderationDecision After Reconsideration
References
Case No. ADJ7539480
Regular
Sep 20, 2011

GARY KREFT vs. CELESTRON, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, COMPWEST INSURANCE COMPANY, HARTFORD INSURANCE COMPANY, AMERICAN CLAIMS MANAGEMENT, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND, Everest National Insurance Co.

This case concerns a cumulative injury claim where the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted Everest National Insurance Co.'s Petition for Removal. The WCAB amended a prior order joining Everest and other carriers, clarifying that Labor Code section 5500.5(a) limits liability for cumulative injuries to employers/insurers covering the year immediately preceding the date of injury or last exposure. As the date of injury/exposure was not yet determined and appeared to be the last day of employment, only the carriers covering that final year (CompWest and Hartford) were ordered joined. Everest was removed as a party defendant pending further determination.

Petition for RemovalLabor Code section 5500.5(a)cumulative injurylast injurious exposurejoinder of partiesWorkers' Compensation Appeals Boarddate of injuryrepetitive job dutiesCalifornia Insurance Guarantee AssociationCIGA
References
Case No. ADJ3816448 (LAO 0789900) ADJ335314 (LAO 0818843) ADJ1177078 (LAO 0789901)
Regular
Sep 25, 2015

RAYMUNDO PITONES vs. MEL CAST LITHO, INC., CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

This case involves CIGA, the California Insurance Guarantee Association, seeking to be absolved of liability for workers' compensation benefits for an injured worker, Raymundo Pitones. CIGA argues that a settlement with another insurer for a subsequent, overlapping injury constitutes "other insurance" that should relieve CIGA of its obligations. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied CIGA's petition, finding that the subsequent settlement did not fully cover all of Pitones' injuries, particularly those that did not overlap. Therefore, CIGA remains liable for the benefits not covered by the prior settlement to ensure the applicant can recover his full benefits.

CIGACalifornia Insurance Guarantee AssociationMel Cast LithoInc.California Compensation Insurance CompanyliquidationSEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICESPetition for ReconsiderationJoint Findings of Fact and Orderworkers' compensation administrative law judge
References
Case No. ADJ1034828
Regular
Jan 19, 2000

KELLY JOLLY vs. INPUT 1; CIGA administered by its servicing facility CAMBRIDGE INTEGRATED SERVICES GROUP, INC. for FREMONT COMPENSATION INSURANCE COMPANY; In liquidation; GRANITE STATE INSURANCE COMPANY, by AIG; STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND; AMERICAN SAFETY CASUALTY, by GALALGHER BASSETT

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration in this case. The Board adopted the arbitrator's report, which explained their prior holding. This holding established that CIGA is entitled to pre-litigation benefits from an insolvent carrier but must remit those proceeds to the insolvent carrier's trustee. Therefore, the petition for reconsideration was denied.

CIGAReconsideration DeniedInsolvent CarrierTrusteePre-litigation BenefitsLiquidated Insurance CompanyServicing FacilityWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardArbitrator ReportAdjudication
References
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