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

Case No. ADJ1941485 (VNO 0263845) ADJ4137418 (VNO 0270976) ADJ1018222 (MON 0140131)
Regular
Dec 15, 2008

GERTRUDE CHISM vs. K-MART/SEARS HOLDING CORPORATION, Permissibly Self-Insured Administered by SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

The Appeals Board dismissed the defendant's petition to remove WCJ Zarett as moot due to his retirement, and denied the request for a commissioner's hearing on sanctions as premature. The Board remanded the case to the trial level for a full evidentiary hearing on the defendant's allegations regarding the applicant's attorneys, as these factual issues are best addressed by a new Workers' Compensation Judge. The defendant's numerous petitions for removal, vacating hearings, and stays were largely dismissed or denied.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardGertrude ChismK-Mart/Sears Holding CorporationSedgwick Claims Management ServicesPetition for Commissioner's HearingRemoval of Judge ZarettVacate HearingStay ProceedingsImposition of SanctionsGuardian Ad Litem
References
1
Case No. ADJ3072125
Regular
Dec 08, 2017

STEPHANIE SEALS vs. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH MANAGER, CHIRON CORPORATION, TRAVELERS

The applicant sought removal of Judge Lieberman, alleging she ignored prior orders regarding personnel records and showed bias. The WCJ acknowledged the applicant's concerns about potential impropriety due to frank settlement discussions where monetary sums were mentioned. The WCJ recommended reassignment to another judge and the Appeals Board granted the petition for removal. The case is returned to the presiding judge for assignment to a new WCJ.

Petition for RemovalJudge LiebermanJudge MillerPersonnel RecordsBias AllegationAppearance of ImproprietyWCJ RecommendationPanel QMECase AssignmentOakland WCAB
References
0
Case No. ADJ1132003 (LBO 0329486)
Regular
Aug 19, 2013

NICOLE R. CHEATHAM vs. LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, LOMA LINDA HOME CARE

The Appeals Board granted the Defendant's Petition for Removal to overturn an Order that denied its request for automatic reassignment of the case. The Board found that the Presiding Judge erred by denying reassignment based on a prior award issued by Judge Pusey in 2003, as Judge Pusey had not been assigned as the trial judge at that time. The Appeals Board granted the reassignment and ordered the expedited hearing be set before a judge other than Judge Pusey. This decision recognizes the defendant's statutory right to automatic reassignment when a new trial date is set before a judge who has not previously presided over a trial in the matter.

Petition for RemovalAutomatic ReassignmentOrder Denying PetitionExpedited HearingStipulations With Request for AwardCumulative Trauma InjuryPetition to Re-openDeclaration of Readiness to ProceedLabor Code section 5310Cal. Code Regs.
References
1
Case No. ANA 0386138
Regular
Jun 18, 2008

CECIL MORTON vs. RALPH'S, Permissibly Self-Insured, administered by SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

This case involves a defendant's timely petition for removal to reassign the Workers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge (WCJ) due to procedural irregularities. The Appeals Board granted the removal because the defendant was first notified of the trial judge assignment at a mandatory settlement conference and the assigned WCJ failed to follow proper procedure regarding an "Order Suspending Action" for alleged inadequacy. Consequently, the case is reassigned to a different WCJ to determine readiness for trial.

WCAB Rule 10453Petition for RemovalAutomatic ReassignmentWorkers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge (WCJ)Mandatory Settlement Conference (MSC)Order Suspending ActionAdequacyPolicy and Procedure ManualLabor Code section 5502(e)(3)Stipulations with Request for Award
References
0
Case No. ADJ997412 (LAO 0813526)
Regular
Oct 25, 2010

PATRICIA ANN HAYES vs. ALBERTSONS, SPECIALTY RISK SERVICES

This case concerns the applicant's petition for reconsideration and removal of a Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) decision. The WCAB dismissed the reconsideration petition, finding the prior order was not final. However, they granted the removal petition, rescinded the prior order, and returned the case to the trial level for further proceedings. The WCAB found the trial judge's decision to order additional medical evaluations was premature without establishing a deficiency in the existing medical record. Finally, the applicant's petition to disqualify the trial judge was denied, as the judge's actions were not deemed to reflect a prejudgment of the case's merits.

AOE/COEfibromyalgiapsychiatric injuryorthopedic injuryAgreed Medical Examinerpetition for reconsiderationpetition for disqualificationpetition for removalFindings and Ordersdiscovery order
References
7
Case No. ADJ8336949
Regular
Aug 26, 2013

BRANDON MULLINS vs. COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted applicant's Petition for Removal because the judge's order closing discovery and denying the deposition of a Qualified Medical Examiner (PQME) would cause irreparable harm. The Board found the denial unjustified and that reconsideration would be an inadequate remedy. Removal was granted to allow applicant to depose the PQME, and the judge's order was rescinded.

Petition for RemovalLabor Code section 5310Panel Qualified Medical EvaluatorPQME depositionClosing DiscoveryIrreparable HarmWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardWCJRemoval OrderRescinded Order
References
0
Case No. ADJ2716798 (WCK 0029007), ADJ2430808 (OAK 0281982), ADJ229203 (OAK 0333135), ADJ1351068 (WCK 0030503)
Regular
Dec 01, 2013

KAMLESH BANGA vs. STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The defendant, State Compensation Insurance Fund, petitioned for removal, arguing the applicant's objection to the judge was untimely. The applicant alleged the judge previously represented her, necessitating disqualification, but this objection was raised only after trial and an unfavorable award. The Appeals Board found the disqualification request untimely as it was not made before the first witness was sworn. Consequently, the Board granted removal, rescinded the order of rescission, and returned the cases to the trial level for further proceedings.

Petition for RemovalOrder Rescinding FindingsWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardWCJ DisqualificationTimeliness of ObjectionLabor Code Section 5311WCAB Rule 10452Petition for ReconsiderationMandatory Settlement ConferenceIndustrial Injuries
References
0
Case No. ADJ10482874
Regular
Jan 26, 2019

ELIZABETH LEWIS vs. BLUE APRON, INC, ZURICH NORTH AMERICA

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted applicant Elizabeth Lewis's Petition for Removal, rescinding an administrative law judge's order that set the case for trial and closed discovery. The WCAB found that applicant would suffer substantial prejudice and irreparable harm because her counsel, recently substituted, inadvertently failed to object to the Declaration of Readiness to Proceed. This failure, coupled with the apparent need for further discovery, justified the extraordinary remedy of removal, returning the matter to the judge for further proceedings.

Petition for RemovalDeclaration of Readiness to ProceedSubstitution of CounselInadvertent Failure to ObjectSubstantial PrejudiceIrreparable HarmMedical Record DevelopmentFurther DiscoveryOrder RescindedWorkers' Compensation Appeals Board
References
2
Case No. ADJ3543960 (LAO 0789656) ADJ1691548 (LAO 0789657)
Regular
Mar 17, 2017

Patricia Soto vs. Mayfair Plastics, California Insurance Guarantee Association, INTERCARE INSURANCE SERVICES, Pacific National Insurance Company, Highlands Insurance Company

This case involves CIGA's petition for removal after a workers' compensation judge stayed CIGA's contribution claim against Highlands Insurance Company, which is in Texas receivership. The Appeals Board granted removal, rescinded the stay, and returned the matter for further proceedings. The Board found the judge lacked jurisdiction to stay the petition based solely on Texas law without determining if Texas is a "reciprocal state" under the Uniform Insurers Liquidation Act. The Board's review indicated Texas law meets some, but not all, UILA criteria for reciprocal status, leaving the issue unresolved.

CIGAHighlands Insurance CompanyUniform Insurers Liquidation ActUILAreciprocal statereceivershipliquidationPetition for ContributionPetition for Removalstay of proceedings
References
7
Case No. ADJ387595 (VNO 0552648)
Regular
Jul 12, 2016

JOEL CARDENAS vs. ML ELECTRIC WORKS, INC, ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY, ZURICH NORTH AMERICA

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted the defendant's petition for removal, modifying a prior order by an administrative law judge. The Board removed the issues of penalty, costs, and sanctions related to the disclosure of sub rosa video and surveillance logs from trial consideration. However, the Board affirmed the remainder of the judge's order, which had compelled the defendant to serve the sub rosa materials and produce the claims adjuster and documents at trial. This decision aimed to prevent further discovery beyond the mandatory settlement conference cutoff while still requiring disclosure of the surveillance evidence.

Sub rosa videoPetition for RemovalMandatory Settlement ConferenceDiscovery cut-offDue processIrreparable harmClaims adjusterLabor Code section 5502(d)(3)PenaltySanctions
References
0
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