CompFox Logo
AboutWorkflowFeaturesPricingCase LawInsights

Updated Daily

Case Law Database

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 The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr.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. AHM 98231
Regular
Sep 24, 2007

MYLINH WHITMAN vs. CINGULAR WIRELESS, SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT

The Appeals Board is reconsidering whether the defendant, Cingular Wireless, is entitled to a credit for salary continuation benefits paid to the applicant. The key issue is whether these benefits were of the "same general character" as workers' compensation, which would permit integration and a credit. The case is returned to the trial level for further evidence development on this specific point, rescinding the prior award of a credit.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCreditSalary continuation planWage loss planMetropolitan Life Short Term Disability PolicyHealth and Welfare Benefits PlanSummary plan descriptionEmployer policyTaxable benefitsPermanent disability indemnity
References
Case No. ADJ11235958
Regular
Jul 25, 2018

Scot Turknette vs. COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO

The Appeals Board granted removal of this workers' compensation case, rescinding the expedited hearing's cancellation. The applicant, a potential firefighter, sought an expedited hearing on entitlement to Labor Code section 4850 salary continuation benefits, which would provide full salary for up to one year, exceeding temporary and permanent disability payments. The Board found that denial of an expedited hearing for these benefits, which are paid in lieu of temporary disability, would cause significant prejudice and harm. The case is remanded for an expedited hearing on the applicant's section 4850 benefit claim.

Labor Code section 4850salary continuation benefitsfirefighter classificationexpedited hearingPetition for Removalsignificant prejudiceirreparable harmtemporary disability indemnityPresiding WCJMMI status
References
Case No. ADJ9126761
Regular
Jul 28, 2014

Jennifer James vs. CITY OF SANTA ROSA, Permissibly Self-Insured, Administered by REDWOOD EMPIRE MUNICIPAL INSURANCE FUND

This case concerns Jennifer James, a police officer injured on duty, who sought additional benefits under Labor Code Section 4850. The core dispute is whether Section 4850 benefits, providing a leave of absence without loss of salary for up to one year, should be paid for a calendar year or until the equivalent of a full year's salary has been received. The majority affirmed the WCJ's decision, ruling that the one-year limitation is based on the duration of payments, not the total salary amount. A dissenting opinion argued that the intent of Section 4850 is to ensure no loss of salary, thus allowing benefits to continue until the equivalent of a full year's salary is paid, especially for injured public safety officers.

Labor Code section 4850temporary partial disabilitymodified dutiespolice officerwage loss benefitssalary continuationaggregate disability paymentsEason v. City of RiversideKosowski v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.County of Alameda v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.
References
Case No. VNO 507066
Regular
Mar 03, 2008

SHEILA DAVIS vs. CENTINELA STATE PRISON, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case concerns whether industrial disability leave (IDL) payments count towards the two-year limitation on temporary disability (TD) benefits under Labor Code section 4656(c)(1). The applicant argues that IDL benefits are separate from TD and thus not subject to this limitation. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and rescinded the prior decision, pending a Court of Appeal ruling on the identical issue.

Industrial Disability LeaveTemporary Total DisabilityLabor Code section 4656Petition for ReconsiderationFindings of FactIDL benefitsTD benefitsmutually exclusiveGovernment Code section 19871salary continuation benefits
References
Case No. ADJ4704248 (SJO 0269173)
Regular
Feb 09, 2012

MATTHEW WILL (Deceased), DIANA WILL (Widow) vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case concerns whether the deceased firefighter Matthew Will's minor children are entitled to continuation benefits beyond the standard death benefit. The defendant argued that continuation benefits under Labor Code section 4703.5 are only available when there is no surviving totally dependent parent, and since the widow qualifies, the children are not eligible. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed the original award, holding that the amendment to section 4703.5 intended to augment benefits rather than restrict them. They found the reference to section 3501 was to clarify which children qualify, not to preclude benefits when a parent survives.

WCABMatthew WillDiana WillDepartment of Forestry and Fire ProtectionLegally UninsuredState Compensation Insurance FundReconsiderationFindings Award and OrderDeath BenefitsLabor Code section 4702
References
Case No. ADJ17819410; ADJ17819411
Regular
Jul 07, 2025

GUILHERME GUIMARAES vs. COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, SEDGWICK

Defendant County of Los Angeles sought reconsideration of a Joint Findings and Award issued on March 18, 2025, by a Workers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge (WCJ). The WCJ had ruled that applicant Guilherme Guimaraes was entitled to separate salary continuation benefits under Labor Code section 4850 for two distinct injuries, even if some periods of disability overlapped. The defendant contended that the WCJ erred in awarding a separate period of benefits, arguing that the existence of common body parts between claims should disqualify the applicant from additional benefits once the initial 52 weeks were paid. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, after reviewing the arguments and the WCJ's report, denied the petition for reconsideration. The Board affirmed the WCJ's reasoning, emphasizing that entitlement to Section 4850 benefits is determined by the time period and reason for disability per claim, consistent with wage replacement policy, rather than merely by overlapping body parts.

Labor Code section 4850Salary continuation benefitsCumulative traumaSpecific injuryOverlapping disabilityConcurrent disabilityWage replacementTemporary total disabilityFoster v. Workers' Comp. Appeal Bd.Joint Findings and Award
References
Case No. ADJ1298520
Regular
Dec 24, 2010

CLUSEGUN AFOLAYAN (DECEASED), OLUWASEUN AFOLAYAN, et al vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA CDCR, CALIFORNIA REHABILITATION CENTER, Legally Uninsured, SCIF/STATE CONTRACTS

In this workers' compensation case, the Appeals Board reconsidered a WCJ's award of dependency benefits to three adult children of a deceased worker. The WCJ had awarded $192,000 total, based on the children being total dependents despite the widow electing CalPERS benefits which typically bar other death benefits. The Board agreed that the adult children are entitled to benefits under Labor Code section 4702, as the widow's CalPERS election does not necessarily exclude other dependents with good cause. However, the Board disagreed with the WCJ's calculation method and remanded the case for a new decision, directing the adult children to divide the difference between the maximum benefit for a widow with dependents and the benefit for a widow without dependents.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardDependency benefitsLabor Code Section 4702Adult childrenDeath benefitsLabor Code Section 4707CalPERS special death benefitGood causeTotal dependentsWidow's benefits
References
Case No. ADJ7275879
Regular
Jun 03, 2013

BRYAN KNITTEL vs. COUNTY OF ALAMEDA

This case clarifies that salary continuation benefits paid to injured public safety officers under Labor Code section 4850 are counted towards the 104-week maximum payment limit for temporary disability under Labor Code section 4656. The Court of Appeal directed the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board to rescind its prior ruling. Consequently, the Board issued a new decision holding that these 4850 benefits do indeed apply to the 104-week limitation.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardRemittiturSalary Continuation BenefitsPublic Safety Officer104-week limitTemporary DisabilityLabor Code Section 4850Labor Code Section 4656Findings and AwardReconsideration
References
Showing 1-10 of 2,825 results

Ready to streamline your practice?

Apply these legal strategies instantly. CompFox helps you find decisions, analyze reports, and draft pleadings in minutes.

CompFox Logo

The AI standard for workers' compensation professionals. Faster research, deeper analysis, better outcomes.

Product

  • Platform
  • Workflow
  • Features
  • Pricing

Solutions

  • Defense Firms
  • Applicants' Attorneys
  • Insurance carriers
  • Medical Providers

Company

  • About
  • Insights
  • Case Law

Legal

  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Trust
  • Cookies
  • Subscription

© 2026 CompFox Inc. All rights reserved.

Systems Operational