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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. 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 The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr.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. ADJ7232076
En Banc
Sep 26, 2011

Tsegay Messele vs. Pitco Foods, Inc.; California Insurance Company

The Appeals Board holds that the 10-day period for agreeing on an AME under Labor Code § 4062.2(b) is extended by five days when the initial proposal is served by mail, and clarifies the method for calculating this time period, finding both parties' panel requests premature.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardTsegay MesselePitco FoodsInc.California Insurance CompanyADJ7232076Opinion and Decision After ReconsiderationOrder Granting RemovalDecision After RemovalEn Banc
References
Case No. ADJ3885285 (FRE 0248529) ADJ3795787 (FRE 0247126)
Regular
Dec 30, 2008

Larry Shores vs. CITY OF MADERA; ACCLAMATION FRESNO

This case concerns a worker's compensation claim for a back and spine injury sustained by Larry Shores. The Board granted reconsideration, rescinded sanctions imposed on the defendant for litigation tactics, and rescinded a penalty for delayed temporary disability payments. However, it otherwise affirmed the finding of industrial injury, awarded penalties for unreasonable delay in medical treatment, and upheld the need for ongoing medical care, including surgery.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardLarry ShoresCity of MaderaAcclamation FresnoADJ3885285ADJ3795787Opinion and Order Granting ReconsiderationFindings and AwardWCJIndustrial Injury
References
Case No. ADJ9011624
Regular
Dec 13, 2019

ELISHA HARDEN vs. COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO

This case concerns whether specific medical reports obtained for a disability retirement claim are admissible in a workers' compensation proceeding. The Appeals Board rescinded the prior ruling, holding these reports are relevant and may be provided to the orthopedic Agreed Medical Evaluator (AME) and psychiatric Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME). The Board found the reports relevant to the medical issues, even though they were not obtained through the standard workers' compensation medical-legal evaluation process. Consequently, the applicant's objection to providing these reports to the evaluators was overruled.

RemovalReconsiderationAgreed Medical Evaluator (AME)Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME)Medical-legal evaluatorsMedical recordsLabor CodeFindings and Orders (F&O)Disability retirementPermanent impairment
References
Case No. ADJ3080176 (LAO 0871214)
Regular
Sep 14, 2018

ROSS ISAACS vs. DOUG APATOW AGENCY, INC., STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Appeals Board denied defendant's petition for removal, upholding the WCJ's order allowing the deposition of the Agreed Medical Evaluator (AME), Dr. Berman. Defendant argued the deposition was improper because Dr. Berman's prior reports were stricken from the record. However, the Board found no substantial prejudice or irreparable harm, noting the order permitted further record development. The Board clarified that even if Dr. Berman's reports were considered stricken, the WCJ could still develop the record by seeking supplemental information from the AME.

Removal petitionAgreed Medical EvaluatorOtorhinolaryngologyMinute OrderPetition to StrikeOrder Taking Case Off CalendarSupplemental medical reportsDepositionSubstantial prejudiceIrreparable harm
References
Case No. ADJ8836050
Regular
Jan 26, 2016

EDUARDO CASTILLO vs. GENERAL MOTORS; permissibly self-insured, administered by SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.

The Appeals Board granted the defendant's petition for removal, rescinding the WCJ's orders appointing new orthopedic and psychiatric evaluators. The Board found the WCJ erred by directly appointing new physicians without first attempting to supplement existing medical reports or deposing prior evaluators, as per the *McDuffie* precedent. The Board determined the existing medical reports were not "fatally flawed" and directed the parties to pursue supplemental opinions or depositions before appointing new evaluators.

WCABPetition for RemovalOrdersMedical Record DevelopmentPanel Qualified Medical EvaluatorAgreed Medical EvaluatorSupplemental ReportsDepositionsPrejudiceDelay
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. ADJ10955805; ADJ10963100
Regular
Oct 20, 2025

DAVID SCHUPP vs. MAGIC MOUNTAIN LLC, PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY OF HARTFORD

David Schupp, the applicant, filed workers' compensation claims for injuries to his right ankle, bilateral wrists, and knees while employed by Magic Mountain LLC. The defendant, Magic Mountain LLC, petitioned for removal challenging a Workers' Compensation Judge's (WCJ) findings regarding the Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) process in pain management. The Appeals Board treated the petition as one for reconsideration, granted it under the removal standard, affirmed the WCJ's findings on employment, injury, and parts of the body, but deferred other interlocutory issues. The case is returned to the WCJ for further proceedings to address the validity of the QME panels, the timeliness and nature of the applicant's objection to a medical report, and potential prejudice to the defendant.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationRemovalJoint Findings and OrderQualified Medical EvaluatorPQMEPain ManagementLabor Code Section 4062.2Agreed Medical EvaluatorMedical Evaluation
References
Case No. ADJ9714303
Regular
Feb 07, 2023

BRENT REYNOLDS vs. HOSTESS BRANDS, FORMERLY SELF-INSURED ADMINISTERED BY SELFINSURED SECURITY FUND VIA TRISTAR

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied Hostess Brands' Petition for Reconsideration. The Board adopted the reasoning of the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) who found that while Hostess Brands' communication regarding a non-refundable deposit for an Agreed Medical Evaluator's deposition was not in bad faith, it constituted an ex parte communication in violation of Labor Code section 4062.3(f). The ALJ also found the Applicant's counsel violated the same section by communicating with the evaluator without consulting the defense. As both parties violated the statute, the ALJ denied competing petitions for costs and sanctions, a decision affirmed by the Board.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationAgreed Medical EvaluatorDeposition Fee AgreementNon-refundable DepositCross-examination FeesEx Parte CommunicationLabor Code section 4062.3Fee ScheduleMedical-legal Expenses
References
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