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

Case No. ADJ4295446 (GOL 0087464)
Regular
Mar 20, 2014

Virginia Landaw vs. Toyota of Santa Barbara, Public Service Mutual Insurance Company

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) denied the applicant's petition for removal, which sought to have hearings held at the Santa Barbara district office rather than Oxnard. The WCAB found that the relocation was necessary due to insufficient space at the Santa Barbara facility, impacting lobby, hearing room, and parking availability. The Board reaffirmed its authority to calendar hearings at different offices based on available resources and cited the applicant's minimal increased travel as insufficient grounds for removal. The WCAB also highlighted the availability of CourtCall and the ongoing efforts to secure a more suitable Santa Barbara location.

Petition for RemovalWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardDivision of Workers' CompensationDistrict OfficeVenueCourtCallMandatory Settlement ConferenceExpedited HearingJudicial NoticeAdministrative Law Judge
References
12
Case No. ADJ1259001
Regular
Apr 08, 2014

Patricia Scharli vs. County of Santa Barbara, Corvel Corporation

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) denied Patricia Scharli's Petition for Removal. The denial was based on the administrative law judge's report, which concluded that moving a mandatory settlement conference from Santa Barbara to Oxnard due to space limitations at the new Santa Barbara office was a mere inconvenience, not significant prejudice. The WCAB has statutory authority to determine hearing locations based on budgetary and space constraints, and can calendar hearings at different offices even without formally changing venue. The WCAB encourages the use of CourtCall for attorneys to mitigate travel difficulties for applicants.

Petition for RemovalWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardDivision of Workers' CompensationDistrict OfficeVenueCalendaring AuthorityMedical Treatment Lien ConferenceCourtCallMandatory Settlement ConferenceExpedited Hearings
References
1
Case No. ADJ9198656; ADJ9192994
Regular
Jul 07, 2025

JEANETTE LIRA vs. COTTAGE HEALTH SYSTEM, PSI, SANSUM SANTA BARBARA MEDICAL, ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY

Defendants Cottage Health System and Zurich American Insurance Company sought reconsideration of a Joint Findings and Award. Cottage Health contended it was incorrectly identified as the liable employer instead of Sansum Santa Barbara Medical, insured by Zurich. Zurich argued there were multiple injuries or that compensation was barred by the statute of limitations. The Appeals Board denied Zurich's petition, granted Cottage Health's petition, and amended the award to reflect Sansum Santa Barbara Medical, insured by Zurich American Insurance Company, as the liable party.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardJeanette LiraCottage Health SystemGallagher BassettZurich American Insurance CompanySansum Santa Barbara MedicalAdjudication NumbersJoint Findings and AwardPetition for ReconsiderationComplex Regional Pain Syndrome
References
6
Case No. ADJ7632437
Regular
Apr 20, 2015

MARIA GARCIA vs. HISTORIC SANTA MARIA INN, FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY

In this workers' compensation case, the applicant sought to change venue from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara. The initial venue was based on her former attorney's location, but the applicant lives, worked, and was injured in Santa Barbara County, where her current attorney also practices. The Appeals Board granted removal, finding that the Santa Barbara "satellite office" functions as a full trial court office. Therefore, venue was changed to Santa Barbara, as statutory criteria for venue are met and substantial prejudice would result from maintaining the current location.

Petition for RemovalOrder Denying Change of VenueWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardWCJVenueSan Luis ObispoSanta BarbaraSatellite OfficeLabor Code Section 5501.5Application for Adjudication of Claim
References
2
Case No. ADJ9400192
Regular
Oct 08, 2015

MARGARITA SANCHEZ vs. CITY OF SANTA BARBARA

In Sanchez v. City of Santa Barbara, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted the applicant's petition for reconsideration. This decision was made to allow the WCAB sufficient time to thoroughly review the factual and legal issues presented in the case. The WCAB aims to ensure a just and reasoned outcome after further study and potential proceedings. All future correspondence regarding the petition must be filed directly with the WCAB Commissioners.

Petition for ReconsiderationWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardADJ9400192City of Santa BarbaraJT2 Integrated ResourcesStatutory time constraintsFactual and legal issuesJust and reasoned decisionOffice of the CommissionersElectronic Adjudication Management System (EAMS)
References
1
Case No. ADJ10826283
Regular
Mar 12, 2019

PETER HLINKA vs. COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed a finding of fact that an inmate was an employee of the County of Santa Barbara for workers' compensation purposes. The inmate voluntarily applied for and accepted a work assignment in the jail, which was not a condition of his incarceration. He received consideration in the form of better housing, food, and mobility, and the County's own resolution authorizing inmate work was permissive rather than compulsory. The Board also admonished the defendant for improperly citing an unpublished case.

Inmate EmploymentWorkers CompensationCounty JailVoluntary WorkConsiderationControlPenal Code 4017Rowland v. County of SonomaPruitt v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.Labor Code 3351
References
7
Case No. ADJ7191263
Regular
Aug 17, 2010

CHRISTOPHER PAPPAS vs. COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the County of Santa Barbara's petition for reconsideration, upholding an award for surgical treatment in Germany for Christopher Pappas. The County argued the award was improper because the treating physician's request lacked the required authorization format. However, the Board found the County waived its right to object by not raising this issue earlier and presented no evidence that the surgery was not reasonably necessary. Therefore, the Board affirmed the administrative law judge's decision to grant the award.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardChristopher PappasCounty of Santa BarbaraPetition for ReconsiderationFindings of Fact and Awardsurgical treatmenttreating physicianindustrial injurycumulative traumaspinal surgery
References
2
Case No. ADJ 3006646 (GOL 0101478) ADJ 4273750 (GOL 0101479)
Regular
Dec 23, 2010

YOLANDA ROMO RODRIGUEZ vs. COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA

Applicant Yolanda Romo-Rodriguez sought penalties under Labor Code § 132a, alleging the County of Santa Barbara discriminated against her by denying a 9/80 work schedule after her industrial injury. The WCJ denied the petition, finding no evidence applicant was singled out due to her injury, as others in her training class also worked 40-hour weeks. The employer demonstrated a business necessity for the 40-hour schedule due to call center performance demands. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration, upholding the WCJ's findings.

Labor Code section 132aDiscrimination9/80 work scheduleBusiness necessityReconsiderationPenaltiesFinding of FactIndustrial injuryLauher standardEligibility worker
References
2
Case No. SBA 74989
Regular
Apr 14, 2008

ELISABETH MILLER vs. SANTA BARBARA COTTAGE HOSPITAL, KEENAN & ASSOCIATES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration of a prior award, affirming the finding of a compensable psychiatric injury for applicant Elisabeth Miller against Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. The Board amended the award to correct the temporary disability period from over six years to May 2, 1994, to April 14, 1995, adopting the judge's recommendation to limit the duration. This amendment addresses defendant's contention regarding an excessive temporary disability award.

WCABPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardIndustrial InjuryPsycheCardiovascular SystemMedical TreatmentCardiac SymptomsPsychiatric InjuryPredominant Cause
References
0
Case No. ADJ540267 (GOL 0097056)
Regular
May 03, 2010

RACHEL RAMIREZ vs. SANTA BARBARA COTTAGE HOSPITAL, KEENAN & ASSOCIATES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration of the Administrative Law Judge's (ALJ) decision in the case of Rachel Ramirez v. Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. The WCAB rescinded the ALJ's decision and returned the matter to the trial level for further proceedings and a new decision. This action indicates the initial decision was insufficient or flawed, requiring further development of the record and a new ruling. The parties retain the right to seek reconsideration of any future decision by the ALJ.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardSanta Barbara Cottage HospitalKeenan & AssociatesPetition for ReconsiderationWorkers' Compensation Administrative Law JudgeGranting ReconsiderationRescind DecisionFurther ProceedingsDecision After ReconsiderationTrial Level
References
0
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