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

Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Hollander v. Valor Clothers, Inc.

Claimant appealed a Workers' Compensation Board decision from August 7, 1981, which denied benefits for an occupational disease. The claimant, employed as a spot cleaner at Valor Clothers, Inc., worked with toxic fluids like carbon tetrachloride and benzene and alleged these conditions caused or aggravated a pre-existing pulmonary condition. The record showed claimant had a long history of pulmonary dysfunction since 1964, predating his 1972 employment. The Board disallowed the claim, and the appellate court affirmed, stating that compensation is not granted for the aggravation of an already active condition. For compensation, a pre-existing condition must be dormant and nondisabling, with employment activating it, conditions deemed not met in this case.

Occupational diseasePulmonary conditionPre-existing conditionAggravation of injuryWorkers' Compensation LawToxic exposureCarbon tetrachlorideBenzeneEmployment disabilityMedical history
References
2
Case No. ADJ7457215
Regular
Feb 28, 2014

MARYA PARENTE vs. CITY OF INGLEWOOD, INTEGRATED CLAIMS

Here's a summary of the case for a lawyer in four sentences: The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted the defendant's Petition for Removal, rescinding the WCJ's order to take the case off calendar for further development of the record. The Board found that Dr. Rodas' reports, providing a 25% whole person impairment rating, constituted substantial evidence and that the record was sufficient for decision. The central dispute concerns whether Dr. Rodas correctly applied the AMA Guides to place the applicant at the higher end of a disability classification based on pulmonary dysfunction. The case is returned to the trial level for decision based on the existing record, with the Board expressing no opinion on the correct disability rating.

Petition for RemovalOrder Vacating SubmissionAmerican Medical Association (AMA) GuidesWhole Person Impairment (WPI)Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME)Permanent Disability (PD)Activities of Daily Living (ADL)Functional Capacity LossPulmonary DysfunctionOccupational Category
References
2
Case No. ADJ3489554 (SFO 0460075), ADJ409657 (SFO 0473579)
Regular
May 10, 2010

REBHI AYESH vs. ARCO/BP AMERICA, Permissibly Self-Insured, Administered By ESIS

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board reversed an administrative law judge's award, ruling that the applicant is not entitled to industrial workers' compensation benefits for erectile dysfunction. The Board found the erectile dysfunction was caused by non-industrial factors like diabetes and smoking, not the applicant's work-related psychiatric injury. While the psychiatric injury was recognized as a compensable consequence of a prior back injury, medical evidence did not sufficiently demonstrate it contributed to the need for erectile dysfunction treatment. Consequently, the Board rescinded the award for further medical care related to the erectile dysfunction.

Workers Compensation Appeals Boardpsychiatric injuryindustrial injurylow back injuryerectile dysfunctiondiabetessmokingmedical treatmentcausationqualified medical evaluator
References
10
Case No. ADJ11197293
Regular
Dec 18, 2020

KEVIN TORRES vs. ARCTIC MECHANICAL, TRAVELERS PROPERTY CASUALTY COMPANY OF AMERICA

This case concerns an applicant's entitlement to an increased impairment rating for sleep dysfunction. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the defendant's Petition for Reconsideration. The Board affirmed the Administrative Law Judge's finding that Labor Code Section 4660.1(c)(1) does not preclude an increased impairment rating for sleep dysfunction if it is directly caused by the industrial injury, rather than a consequence of it. Medical evidence from Dr. Jonathan Wang established a direct causal link between the applicant's sleep dysfunction and the industrial injury. The Board found Dr. Wang's report and deposition testimony constituted substantial medical evidence supporting this conclusion and rejected the defendant's arguments.

Labor Code 4660.1(c)(1)sleep dysfunctiondirect causationincreased impairment ratingcompensable consequencepsychiatric disordersubstantial medical evidenceQME reportdeposition testimonyAMA Guides
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 18, 1977

Claim of Johnson v. International Talc Co.

Claimant's deceased husband, an employee of International Talc Company, developed a partial pulmonary disability, specifically pneumoconiosis and pulmonary emphysema, due to occupational exposure to talc and silicosis dust over 20 years. He filed a compensation claim in May 1973 and died in November 1973. The Workers' Compensation Board determined that while the pulmonary disability was causally related to his occupation, his death was not. Conflicting medical testimonies were presented regarding the extent of disability and the causal link of death to his occupation, with an impartial specialist concurring with the Board's finding on the death. The Appellate Division affirmed the Board's decision, noting that substantial evidence supported the Board's findings and that Section 39 of the Workers' Compensation Law at the time did not permit awards for partial disability resulting from dust disease.

PneumoconiosisSilicosisPulmonary EmphysemaPartial DisabilityDust DiseaseCausal RelationshipMedical EvidenceBoard FindingsAppellate AffirmationStatutory Interpretation
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 12, 1998

Claim of Cocco v. New York City Department of Transportation

Claimant, a bridge painter for 36 years, was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, leading to total disability since June 1993. The Workers’ Compensation Board found that his work for the employer aggravated a previously dormant and non-disabling pulmonary condition, deeming it an occupational disease under Workers’ Compensation Law § 3 (2) (30). The employer appealed this decision. The court differentiated between the aggravation of active versus dormant conditions, requiring a distinctive employment feature to activate a dormant one. It was determined that the claimant's exposure to noxious substances from sandblasting, paint stripping, and spraying red lead paint constituted such a feature. Expert testimony supported that the claimant's pulmonary condition was dormant and that his work exposure caused the disability, leading to the affirmation of the Board's decision.

Occupational DiseaseChronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseAggravation of Preexisting ConditionBridge PainterNoxious Substances ExposureSandblasting HazardsCausation in WCDormant Condition ActivationSubstantial Evidence ReviewWorkers' Compensation Board Appeal
References
7
Case No. FRE 0213272
Regular
Oct 02, 2007

ROGER MILLS vs. SUNRISE BUILDERS, VIRGINIA SURETY COMPANY, APPLIED RISK SERVICES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed the WCJ's decision, denying the applicant's contentions regarding a pulmonary injury. The Board found the applicant's permanent disability rating of 40% for an orthopedic injury was consistent with medical opinions and relevant case law, particularly regarding apportionment of pre-existing conditions. The decision disallowed claims for the pulmonary condition and associated medical treatment, upholding the original award.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPulmonary/Respiratory InjuryOrthopedic InjuryPermanent and StationaryTemporary DisabilityPermanent Disability AwardApportionmentSB 899Agreed Medical EvaluatorBrodie v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.
References
1
Case No. STK 100401, STK 102758, STK 151721
Regular
May 01, 2007

JACK LITTLE vs. TRI-VALLEY GROWERS, NATIONAL UNION FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY

Applicant Jack Little sustained admitted industrial injuries to his knees and back, resulting in permanent disability and a need for ongoing medical treatment, including for his hypertension. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration of the finding that applicant's erectile dysfunction is not a compensable consequence of the industrial injuries, as both medical evaluators concluded it was not caused by the work injuries. However, a dissenting commissioner argued for reconsideration to further develop the record regarding whether the industrially-caused hypertension and its medications contribute to the erectile dysfunction.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardTri-Valley GrowersNational Union Fire Insurance CompanyJack Littleindustrial injurieskneesbackmaintenance mechanicpermanent disabilitymedical treatment
References
3
Case No. ADJ7082851
Regular
Jan 30, 2019

HUMBERTO GONZALEZ vs. AMERICAN AUTO WRECKING, STAR INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration to amend the original findings, establishing applicant's earnings at $500.00 per week. The Board affirmed the finding of industrial injury to the psyche and right inguinal hernia, but deferred issues of injury to the reproductive system (sexual dysfunction) and sleep disorder. The matter was returned to the WCJ for further development of the record concerning these deferred issues, particularly regarding the specific impact of sleep disorder on impairment and corroboration of sexual dysfunction.

AOE/COEFindings and AwardPetition for ReconsiderationAdministrative Law JudgeAgreed Medical ExaminerQualified Medical ExaminerMaximum Medical ImprovementGeneral LaborerRight inguinal herniaSexual dysfunction
References
0
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Sep 17, 1979

In re the Claim of Brod v. Julius Young Mfg. Co.

The claimant, a 64-year-old jewelry polisher, sought workers' compensation for pulmonary emphysema, alleging it was caused by breathing fumes and dust at work. The Workers' Compensation Board disallowed the claim, a decision which was subsequently appealed. The Board's determination was based on medical evidence, specifically the testimony of an Impartial Specialist, Dr. Sydney Bassin, who concluded there was no causal relationship between the claimant's pulmonary condition and their employment. The appellate court affirmed the Board's decision, finding substantial evidence to support its determination.

References
0
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