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

Case No. ADJ9919242
Regular
Apr 04, 2017

JAMES KIRCHER vs. CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO, SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the City and County of San Francisco's petition for reconsideration. The Board affirmed the finding that a firefighter sustained an industrial injury to his heart and circulatory system when he experienced atrial arrhythmias during a mandatory work treadmill test. Although the Agreed Medical Examiner initially stated he wouldn't term the event an "injury," he later opined the arrhythmias were work-related and caused in part by job stress, leading to the applicant being taken off work. The Board concluded this constituted an injury under the Labor Code, resulting in temporary disability.

Atrial arrhythmiasTreadmill stress testAgreed Medical ExaminerWork mandated health checkIndustrial injuryTemporary disabilityPermanent disabilityOccupational medicineCardiologyLabor Code section 3208
References
0
Case No. ADJ3840359
Regular
Oct 01, 2008

Troy Wilson vs. San Francisco 49ers, TIG

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration to amend a prior award. The Board affirmed that California has jurisdiction over the applicant's cumulative trauma injury sustained while playing for the Tampa Bay Storm, extending the injurious exposure period to July 14, 2003, the applicant's last day of employment. The San Francisco 49ers and TIG were correctly held liable, with the employer now permitted to seek contribution.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardSan Francisco 49ersTIG Specialty Insurance CompanyTroy WilsonJurisdictionCumulative TraumaPermanent DisabilityApportionmentLabor Code Section 5500.5Injurious Exposure
References
1
Case No. ADJ10789547
Regular
Mar 24, 2025

CLAYTON BELLINGER vs. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS, et al.

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration in the case of Clayton Bellinger against San Francisco Giants. The case concerns a cumulative trauma claim and the applicability of Labor Code section 3600.5 subdivisions (c) and (d) regarding jurisdiction over professional athletes' claims. The Board rescinded the prior Findings and Order, concluding that Bellinger's claim would be barred unless he could establish a California hire. The matter was returned to the WCJ for further development of the record on this critical issue.

Labor Code section 3600.5cumulative traumaprofessional athleteSan Francisco GiantsCalifornia hiresubject-matter jurisdictionregular employmentoccupational diseaseduty dayscontract of hire
References
29
Case No. ADJ9433946
Regular
Feb 19, 2015

ELLEN REED vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, CDCR CALIFORNIA CORRECTIONAL CENTER, Legally Uninsured; STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND/STATE CONTRACT SERVICES, Adjusting Agency

In *Reed v. State of California, CDCR California Correctional Center*, the applicant, Ellen Reed, petitioned for reconsideration of a prior decision. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) has granted this petition. The Board believes reconsideration is necessary to allow further study of the factual and legal issues to ensure a just and reasoned decision. Pending the decision after reconsideration, all filings must be submitted in writing directly to the WCAB Commissioners in San Francisco, not to any district office or via e-filing.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationGranting PetitionStatutory Time ConstraintsFactual and Legal IssuesJust and Reasoned DecisionFurther ProceedingsOffice of the CommissionersElectronic Adjudication Management SystemRedding District Office
References
0
Case No. ADJ7560127
Regular
May 20, 2013

MICHAEL RICHARDSON vs. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS, NATIONAL UNION FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY, CHARTIS CLAIMS, INC., CHICAGO BEARS, TRAVELERS PROPERTY CASUALTY COMPANY OF AMERICA, OAKLAND RAIDERS, FREMONT INDEMNITY, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the prior award, and remanded the case for further proceedings. The Board found the WCJ's determination of the date of injury as February 2, 1989, was not supported by substantial evidence. Medical evidence and applicant's own statements suggest a cumulative trauma injury sustained from January 1, 1989, through December 31, 1989, with the San Francisco 49ers, not solely attributable to the Chicago Bears on February 2, 1989. The Board also directed the WCJ to address the outstanding child support lien in the new decision.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardProfessional Football PlayerIndustrial InjuryThoracic SpineLumbar SpineRight ShoulderLeft KneeHeadachesDate of InjuryCumulative Trauma
References
0
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

San Antonio Building & Construction Trades Council v. City of San Antonio

The San Antonio Building and Construction Trades Council (SABTC) and individual representatives challenged the City of San Antonio regarding prevailing wage requirements for construction workers on a convention center hotel project. SABTC argued that Chapter 2258 of the Texas Government Code mandated prevailing wages, but the trial court denied this, finding that despite being a 'public work', no 'public funds' were used for its construction. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's judgment. It determined that public funds pledged as security for revenue bonds, or the bonds themselves, did not constitute public funds used for the 'construction' of the project under the relevant statute.

Prevailing Wage LawPublic WorksPublic FundsAssociational StandingLabor LawDeclaratory JudgmentTexas Government CodeRevenue BondsHotel Occupancy TaxStatutory Interpretation
References
16
Case No. 15-25-00093-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Sep 19, 2025

State of Texas v. City of San Antonio, Ron Niremberg, in His Official Capacity as Mayor of the City of San Antonio, and Erik Walsh, in His Official Capacity as City Manager of the City of San Antonio

The State sued the City of San Antonio, its Mayor, and its City Manager for ultra vires conduct under the Uniform Declaratory Judgments Act, seeking declarations that the City’s plan to spend taxpayer dollars on travel for out-of-state abortions violates the Texas Constitution’s Gift Clause. The district court granted the City’s plea to the jurisdiction, asserting the claim was not ripe, and dismissed the suit. The State argues that the City’s plan to fund out-of-state abortion travel violates the Gift Clause by lacking public benefit, failing to serve a public purpose, and not retaining public control over funds. The State contends that delaying judicial review would cause great hardship due to the imminent risk of constitutional injury from the disbursement of funds, which the City intended to expedite before SB 33's effective date or by the end of its fiscal year. The State asserts the case is ripe for review because the illegal activity is "likely to occur," and despite SB 33 prohibiting such funding, the City's belief it can disburse funds by September 30, 2025, keeps the controversy live.

Public Funds MisuseAbortion Travel FundingTexas Gift ClauseRipeness DoctrineUltra Vires ActConstitutional ChallengeState-City ConflictReproductive Rights PolicyTaxpayer MoneyInjunctive Relief
References
89
Case No. 04-11-00402-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 29, 2012

City of San Antonio, and Its Agent, San Antonio Water System v. Albert Kevin Martin, A/K/A Kevin Martin

Albert Kevin Martin filed a whistleblower action against his former employer, San Antonio Water System (SAWS) and the City of San Antonio, alleging constructive discharge after reporting asbestos pipe disposal concerns to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). A jury initially found in Martin's favor, but SAWS appealed, disputing the causal link between Martin's report and his constructive discharge, and challenging the compensatory damages award. The appellate court affirmed the jury's finding of causation, concluding that SAWS's adverse actions were linked to Martin's whistleblowing, despite SAWS's alternative explanations. However, the court determined there was legally insufficient evidence to support the jury's award for past and future compensatory damages, particularly regarding mental anguish and chest pains, as the evidence presented did not meet the required legal standards for establishing such damages. Consequently, the appellate judgment was "AFFIRMED AS MODIFIED," deleting all references to compensatory damages from the trial court's judgment.

WhistleblowerConstructive DischargeRetaliationAsbestosEnvironmental ComplaintTCEQCausationCompensatory DamagesMental AnguishLegal Sufficiency
References
19
Case No. 04-14-00451-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 26, 2014

Wheelabrator Air Pollution Control, Inc. v. City of Public Service Board of San Antonio, a Municipal Board of the City of San Antonio

Wheelabrator Air Pollution Control, Inc. appealed an order granting a plea to the jurisdiction on its attorney's fees claim in a breach of contract suit against the City of San Antonio acting through the City Public Service Board (CPS). The Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio, Texas, affirmed the trial court's decision. The court determined that Chapter 271 of the Texas Local Government Code, as applicable to the 2004 contract, did not waive governmental immunity for attorney's fees. Furthermore, the court rejected arguments that CPS waived immunity by seeking affirmative relief or engaging in a proprietary function. The appellate court concluded that the trial court properly granted the plea to the jurisdiction due to the absence of a clear and unambiguous waiver of immunity for attorney's fees.

Governmental ImmunityAttorney's FeesBreach of ContractPlea to JurisdictionTexas Local Government CodeChapter 271Waiver of ImmunityProprietary FunctionSubject Matter JurisdictionAppellate Review
References
20
Case No. 08-04-00179-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 25, 2005

Francisco Garcia, Individually and as Next Friend of Francisco Garcia, Jr., and Kevin Garcia, Minor Children v. J. J. S. Enterprises, Inc., D/B/A/ PDQ Drive-In Grocery

Francisco Garcia, individually and as next friend for his minor children, Francisco Garcia, Jr. and Kevin Garcia (the Garcias), appealed the trial court's summary judgment in favor of J.J.S. Enterprises, Inc. (J.J.S. Enterprises). The case originated from the death of Rosario Michelle Garcia, who died during a robbery at her employer, PDQ Drive-In Grocery. Mrs. Garcia, a cashier, pursued a shoplifter against company policy, fell from a moving vehicle, and was fatally injured. The Garcias filed a wrongful death suit alleging negligence, but J.J.S. Enterprises moved for summary judgment citing a pre-injury waiver. The Court of Appeals affirmed the summary judgment, ruling the pre-injury waiver valid and enforceable, thereby barring the Garcias' lawsuit.

Wrongful DeathNegligenceSummary JudgmentPre-Injury WaiverOccupational Accident PlanNon-Subscriber EmployerTexas LawPublic PolicyFair NoticeActual Knowledge
References
21
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