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

Case No. ADJ6884562
Regular
Oct 04, 2010

ERIC KRUSE vs. CITY OF SAN RAFAEL, Permissibly Self-Insured

This case concerns whether a 15% reduction in permanent disability indemnity applies when an employer offers an injured employee regular work after their condition is permanent and stationary. The applicant, a parking enforcement officer, sustained a neck and elbow injury and was temporarily disabled before returning to his regular job. The employer offered regular work after the applicant's condition became permanent and stationary, but the applicant had already returned to his normal duties. The majority found that since there was no indication of permanent disability prior to the employer's offer, all permanent indemnity was payable after the offer, entitling the employer to the reduction. However, a dissenting commissioner argued that the offer lacked practical meaning as the applicant had already returned to work and that no weekly payments remained after the offer to be reduced.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardEric KruseCity of San Rafaelparking enforcement officerindustrial injuryneck injuryright elbow injurytemporary total disabilitypermanent and stationaryoffer of regular work
References
0
Case No. ADJ6467603
Regular
Apr 05, 2011

TOODY CLITES-PORTER vs. COUNTY OF KERN, SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

In this Workers' Compensation Appeals Board decision, the applicant sustained industrial injury to her cardiovascular system. The defendant employer's offer of regular work was found tardy by the WCJ, resulting in a 15% increase in permanent disability payments. However, on reconsideration, the Board amended the decision, finding the employer entitled to a 15% **decrease** in permanent disability payments. This was based on the employer making a timely offer of regular work within a reasonable time after receiving the permanent and stationary report, aligning with the statute's purpose of returning injured employees to work. The matter was returned to the trial level for recalculation of permanent disability indemnity and attorney's fees.

Permanent and stationary dateLabor Code section 4658(d)tardy offer of regular work15 percent decreasepermanent disability paymentsAdministrative Director Rule 10117(b)Ornelaz v. Albertson'sInc.Audiss v. City of Rohnert ParkAgreed Medical Evaluator (AME)
References
2
Case No. ADJ6925034
Regular
May 12, 2011

FRANCIS LARA vs. BIMBO BAKERIES USA, ACE AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY

The defendant, Bimbo Bakeries USA, sought reconsideration of an award increasing permanent disability payments by 15%, arguing they were entitled to a 15% decrease. This was based on their claim of offering the injured employee, Francis Lara, regular work. However, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the petition because the defendant's offer of work was fatally flawed, being incomplete, unsigned, and not clearly tied to the employee's specific work restrictions at the time. The Board also noted the offer was made before the employee was declared permanent and stationary, further undermining its validity under Labor Code section 4658(d)(3)(A).

Labor Code section 4658(d)(2)Labor Code section 4658(d)(3)(A)Permanent and Stationary (P&S) reportPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and Awardindustrial injuryright lower extremitypermanent disabilitymodified workalternative work
References
1
Case No. ADJ7186596
Regular
Feb 28, 2011

ANDREW MARTINEZ vs. CITY OF SANTA ROSA, REDWOOD EMPIRE MUNICIPAL INSURANCE FUND

This case involves a defendant seeking reconsideration of a Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) award. The defendant argued for a 15% reduction in permanent disability payments based on an offer of regular work, contending it should apply retroactively to all unpaid benefits. The WCAB denied reconsideration, finding the reduction only applies to payments becoming due *after* the work offer was made. The Board affirmed the judge's finding that the defendant had a duty to advance permanent disability payments earlier, due to indications of potential permanent disability from medical reports prior to the offer. Therefore, the 15% reduction under Labor Code § 4658(d) was correctly limited to post-offer payments.

Labor Code § 4658(d)Findings and AwardPermanent DisabilityTemporary DisabilityOffer of Regular WorkPermanent and Stationary DateLabor Code § 4650(b)Labor Code § 4061(a)Advance PaymentsMedical Treatment
References
2
Case No. ADJ8442625
Regular
Jul 25, 2016

PATRICIA TILLMAN vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, CORRECTIONS & REHABILITATION PAROLE, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND/STATE CONTRACT SERVICES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board rescinded an award of increased permanent disability benefits for applicant Patricia Tillman. The Board found that while the employer did not offer modified work within 60 days of the P&S date, the applicant had returned to her regular duties, and the employer had complied with the statute's intent. The Board also amended the applicant's permanent and stationary date to March 17, 2014, based on a psychological AME's report. Finally, the Board noted that the applicant was not entitled to a discount on benefits as she had not been offered modified work and had lost time from work.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationPermanent DisabilityLabor Code Section 4658(d)Permanent and Stationary DateAgreed Medical ExaminerMedical Improvement (MMI)ApportionmentParole AgentIndustrial Injury
References
6
Case No. ADJ8641626
Regular
Oct 06, 2014

SYLVIA ESPINOZA vs. SALINAS VALLEY MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE

This case concerns whether an employer's offer of work triggers a decrease in permanent disability benefits. The applicant initially became permanent and stationary (P&S) in November 2012, and the employer made a timely offer of regular work. However, the applicant's condition later worsened, and she was declared P&S again in July 2013 with new restrictions. The Appeals Board found that while the applicant did not qualify for an increase in benefits, the employer could not rely on the prior offer for a decrease because her condition and restrictions had significantly changed. Therefore, no adjustment to the permanent disability rate was applied.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardSylvia EspinozaSalinas Valley Memorial HealthcareAcclamation Insurance Management ServicesPermanent and Stationary (P&S) reportLabor Code section 4658(d)(3)(A)Agreed Medical Examiner (AME)Robert SteinerM.D.permanent disability rate
References
4
Case No. ADJ7702084
Regular
Jan 23, 2012

WILLIAM BRAGA vs. CITY OF SEBASTOPOL, REDWOOD EMPIRE MUNICIPAL INSURANCE FUND

This case concerns whether the City of Sebastopol is entitled to a 15% reduction in permanent disability payments to William Braga, a fire captain who sustained hearing loss. The defendant argues this reduction is permissible under Labor Code section 4658(d)(3)(A) because they offered Braga regular work. However, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) denied reconsideration, finding the statute inapplicable because Braga lost no time from work and continued his regular duties. The WCAB reasoned that Labor Code section 4658(d) is intended to incentivize employers to return injured workers to employment, a purpose not served when the employee never stopped working.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardCity of SebastopolRedwood Empire Municipal Insurance FundFindings and AwardPetition for ReconsiderationFire CaptainCumulative PeriodHearing LossPermanent DisabilityScheduled Rate
References
4
Case No. ADJ7820332
Regular
Apr 21, 2012

RICHARD SANTOR vs. CITY OF LAKEPORT

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed an amended award concerning permanent disability indemnity for applicant Richard Santor. The Board found that the employer's initial offer of regular work, made before the applicant was declared permanent and stationary, satisfied the statutory purpose of returning employees to work. However, following a subsequent exacerbation of injury and a second permanent and stationary date, the employer failed to make a timely offer of modified work. Consequently, the Board ordered a 15% increase in permanent disability payments effective May 11, 2011, and a 10% penalty on those increased payments, reversing the WCJ's decision to strike the decrease in payments during an earlier period.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationStipulationsPermanent Disability IndemnityLabor Code Section 4658(d)Offer of Regular WorkPermanent and Stationary DateTemporary Total DisabilityPQME ReportNotice of Intention
References
6
Case No. ADJ7999219
Regular
Feb 23, 2012

Tracy Peters vs. CITY OF SEBASTOPOL, REDWOOD EMPIRE MUNICIPAL INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed a prior decision finding an applicant sustained an industrial injury to her right shoulder resulting in 8% permanent disability and awarded permanent disability indemnity and future medical treatment. The defendant employer sought a 15% decrease in permanent disability indemnity under Labor Code § 4658(d), arguing they offered the applicant regular work within the statutory timeframe. The Board, relying on *City of Sebastopol v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd. (Braga)*, held that the 15% reduction is not applicable when the employee has not lost any work time and continues in their regular employment. This is because the legislative purpose of § 4658(d) is to incentivize employers to facilitate a return to work, a purpose not served when the employee never left their job.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardPermanent Disability IndemnityLabor Code § 4658(d)Return to Work IncentivesCity of Sebastopol v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd. (Braga)Modified WorkAlternative WorkStipulations with Request for Award
References
1
Case No. ADJ1950726 (MON 0361748), ADJ6963803, ADJ7198723
Regular
Mar 20, 2012

DANA BURREL vs. LONG BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, TRISTAR RISK MANAGEMENT

In three workers' compensation cases, the applicant sustained industrial injuries to her upper extremities on May 21, 2006, March 11, 2008, and July 28, 2008. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration to review the application of Labor Code section 4658(d)(2), which mandates a 15% increase in permanent disability payments when an employer fails to offer suitable work within 60 days of an injury becoming permanent and stationary. The employer stipulated to providing some medical treatment and returning the applicant to work, but failed to offer regular, modified, or alternative work for 12 months post-injury. The Board found the employer's contention of denial unsubstantiated by evidence and, following *Bontempo v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.*, ruled that the 15% increase applies to all three cases.

Labor Code section 4658(d)(2)permanent disability increaseindustrial injuryright upper extremityright handright wristright shoulderright armleft wristleft hand
References
4
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