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

Case No. ADJ7673518, ADJ7647749
Regular
Jan 23, 2015

ANA DE AYALA vs. AO-THE UNIVERSITY CORPORATION / CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY NORTHRIDGE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and reversed a prior ruling, finding the applicant sustained industrial injury to her neck. While the applicant testified to injuring her neck in a workplace incident and this was partially corroborated, the Board found insufficient evidence for other claimed injuries. The Board specifically disagreed with the administrative law judge's credibility assessment concerning the neck injury itself, relying on medical reports and testimony supporting the neck injury claim. The Board affirmed the denial of claims for all other alleged injuries, finding insufficient medical evidence to link them to the incident.

Petition for ReconsiderationFindings and OrderIndustrial InjuryNeck InjuryBack InjurySpine InjuryUpper ExtremitiesPsycheGastroesophageal SystemInternal System
References
Case No. ADJ7555409
Regular
Mar 04, 2014

JESUS ESCANUELA vs. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, legally uninsured, adjusted by STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted the defendant's Petition for Reconsideration and dismissed the applicant's untimely petition. The WCAB found that the Agreed Medical Examiner's (AME) opinion regarding psychiatric permanent disability was not supported by substantial evidence, as it did not properly address causation under the current PDRS. Consequently, the case is remanded to the trial level for further development of the record concerning psychiatric permanent disability. The WCAB deferred the issue of permanent disability and attorney's fees pending this further development.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardJesus EscanuelaCalifornia Department of Correctionslegally uninsuredState Compensation Insurance FundADJ7555409Fresno District OfficeOpinion and OrderPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and Award
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 The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr.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. ADJ2552674 (STK 0182074), ADJ2434993 (LAO 0814353), ADJ815249 (STK 0199201)
Regular
Jan 24, 2012

CARLOS GASCA vs. HOWARD MARTIN FARMS, CIGA through its servicing facility INTERCARE INSURANCE for PAULA INSURANCE, in liquidation, CALIFORNIA INDEMNITY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board rescinded the prior award and remanded the case for further proceedings. The Board found that Dr. Abelow's medical opinion lacked substantial evidence due to factual inaccuracies and assumptions, particularly regarding the applicant's injury causation and apportionment. Additionally, Dr. Kimmel's psychiatric opinion failed to meet legal causation standards, deferring to orthopedic findings. The lien claimant's contentions will be reviewed anew by the WCJ upon remand.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCarlos GascaHoward Martin FarmsCIGAIntercare InsurancePaula InsuranceCalifornia IndemnityJoint Findings and AwardAdministrative Law JudgeReconsideration
References
Case No. ADJ3015289 (FRE 0242633)
Regular
Jan 06, 2012

SHARON LONG vs. KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITALS administered by KAISER PERMANENTE

This case involves applicant Sharon Long's claim for workers' compensation benefits due to cumulative trauma sustained as a registered nurse for Kaiser Foundation Hospitals. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration, reversing the initial denial of industrial injury. The Board found that Dr. Dureza's opinion, which attributed 33% of applicant's injuries to cumulative trauma from her nursing duties, constituted substantial evidence of industrial causation. The Board remanded the case for further proceedings on orthopedic benefits and the psychiatric injury claim, deferring the EDD lien.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardKaiser Foundation HospitalsSharon LongIndustrial InjuryCumulative TraumaRegistered NurseNeck InjuryLow Back InjurySpine InjuryPsyche 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. VNO 0460334
Regular
Jul 15, 2008

TERESA BOSTON vs. LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, SEDGWICK CMS

The Appeals Board granted reconsideration and rescinded the original award, finding that the WCJ improperly relied on a defense medical opinion that concluded no injury occurred when determining the applicant's permanent disability. The Board remanded the case for further development of the record, citing insufficient and inconsistent medical evidence regarding the applicant's psychiatric disability. Specifically, the Board questioned the supplemental report of the applicant's treating physician, which found total psychiatric disability, due to a lack of updated evaluation and explanation for the changed opinion.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardTeresa BostonLos Angeles Unified School DistrictSedgwick CMSOpinion and Order Granting ReconsiderationFinding and AwardCumulative Trauma InjuryPermanent DisabilityPsychiatric DisabilityQualified Medical Evaluator
References
Case No. ADJ7452452
Regular
Oct 22, 2018

EMMA GUTIERREZ vs. AO/THE UNIVERSITY CORP. /CAL STATE UNIVERSITY NORTHRIDGE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and rescinded the lower findings. The Board found the WCJ erred by acting as a medical expert rather than requesting further development of the record regarding the applicant's psychiatric injury claim. The case is remanded for further proceedings to properly develop the medical evidence concerning the psychiatric claims, potentially through additional expert reports or evaluations.

WCABAOE/COEPetition for ReconsiderationFindings Award Ordercompensable consequence psychiatric injuryAgreed Medical Evaluator (AME)Substantial EvidenceMedical OpinionLabor Code Section 3208.3Predominant Cause
References
Case No. ADJ865311 (LAO 0880913)
Regular
Sep 19, 2016

MARIA AGUILERA vs. COLLINS CHIROPRACTIC GROUP, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Board denied the applicant's petition for reconsideration, affirming its prior decision to reduce her permanent disability from $100\%$ to $88\%$ after apportionment. The Board found the applicant's vocational expert's opinions unsubstantial and contrary to the well-reasoned opinions of the Agreed Medical Evaluators (AMEs). Specifically, the Board rejected Dr. Bluestone's opinion due to a failure to account for duplication in impairment factors between rheumatologic and psychiatric conditions. While one Commissioner dissented, believing the applicant to be $100\%$ permanently disabled based on Dr. Bluestone's findings and other evidence, the majority upheld the apportionment.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardOpinion and Order Denying Petition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardPermanent Total DisabilityApportionmentAgreed Medical Evaluators (AMEs)Dr. BluestoneDr. FreemanDr. MajcherDr. Fedder
References
Case No. OAK 0318766
Regular
Jul 11, 2007

DEVERIE LAUTENSCHLAGER vs. HARBOR VIEW HOLDINGS, TRAVELERS PROPERTY CASUALTY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and rescinded the prior award, finding insufficient evidence to support the administrative law judge's determination of a compensable psychiatric injury. The Board held that the opinions of the applicant's orthopedist and QME orthopedist were not substantial evidence, lacking proper psychiatric diagnosis and exceeding their expertise. The case was returned to the trial level for further development of the record regarding the psyche injury.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardDeverie LautenschlagerHarbor View HoldingsTravelers Property CasualtyOAK 0318766ReconsiderationWCJFindings Award OrderBilateral Upper ExtremitiesPsyche Injury
References
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