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

Case No. ADJ10168011
Regular
Sep 25, 2017

BELINDA GO vs. SUTTER SOLANO MEDICAL CENTER

This case involved an applicant who self-procured cervical spine surgery after her employer denied authorization, which was upheld by an Independent Medical Review. Despite the denial, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) denied the employer's petition for reconsideration. The WCAB affirmed that injured workers are entitled to temporary and permanent disability for reasonable, self-procured medical treatment, even if initially unauthorized. The Board found the self-procured surgery was reasonable due to its positive outcome, and the Permanent Qualified Medical Evaluator's findings supported the disability award. The WCAB clarified that utilization review and independent medical review processes do not preclude temporary disability indemnity for self-procured treatment deemed reasonable.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationUtilization Review (UR)Independent Medical Review (IMR)Self-Procured SurgeryTemporary Disability IndemnityPermanent DisabilityPanel Qualified Medical Evaluator (PQME)Medical Treatment DisputesLabor Code Section 4600
References
14
Case No. ADJ8460289
Regular
Sep 11, 2013

JUAN LUNA vs. CAPITAL DRYWALL, L.L.P.; SEABRIGHT INSURANCE

This case concerns a dispute over the admissibility of medical reports from physicians outside the defendant's Medical Provider Network (MPN). The Appeals Board rescinded the original findings and award, remanding the case for a new decision. This decision hinges on the employer's failure to provide adequate notice of the MPN and their denial of the employee's claim, entitling the employee to self-procure treatment and rendering those medical reports admissible. The arbitrator must now reconsider the findings regarding self-procured medical expenses and mileage reimbursement.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationMedical Provider Network (MPN)Collective Bargaining Agreement (ADR)Admissibility of ReportsSelf-Procured Medical TreatmentLabor Code Section 4600Notice RequirementsDenial of ClaimIndustrial Injury
References
1
Case No. ADJ7957976
Regular
Nov 18, 2013

CHARLES TREJO vs. NORTHRUP GRUMMAN CORPORATION, INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration, rescinding a prior award. The WCJ improperly relied solely on applicant's self-procured physician's report for findings on cervical and lumbar spine injury and permanent disability. Amended Labor Code section 4605 requires any self-procured medical opinions to be addressed by a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) or authorized treating physician, which did not occur. The case is returned for further medical development, specifically requiring the QME to address the self-procured physician's opinions.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardMedical Provider Network (MPN)Self-Procured Medical TreatmentLabor Code Section 4605Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME)Panel Qualified Medical Examiner (PQME)Permanent Disability RatingWhole Person Impairment
References
3
Case No. ADJ4188630 (ANA 0407449) ADJ4338975 (ANA 0407448)
Regular
Mar 22, 2010

RANDOLPH ADAIR vs. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON; Permissibly Self-Insured

This case involves applicant Randolph Adair's industrial injury claim against Southern California Edison. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration of a prior award due to disputes over the permanent disability rating. Specifically, the defendant argued the judge improperly relied on a "range of evidence" method, rather than strictly applying the AMA Guides, when evaluating medical reports on spinal translation. The Board found insufficient substantial medical evidence to support the judge's permanent disability rating and remanded the case for further medical development, potentially through an Agreed Medical Examiner. The defendant's liability for self-procured medical treatment, however, was upheld.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardSouthern California EdisonRandolph AdairJoint Findings Award and OrdersAdministrative Law JudgePermanent DisabilityAMA GuidesDRE CategoriesWPIAgreed Medical Examiner
References
0
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Colindres v. Carpenito

Plaintiff Rochelle Colindres sought a protective order to deny defendants' demand for a medical report from her former treating psychologist, Diane Henry, or alternatively, relief from compliance with Uniform Rules for Trial Courts § 202.17(b)(1). Colindres argued that the defendants waived their right to the report as the independent medical examination (IME) already occurred, and that obtaining the report would be an undue hardship since Henry ceased treatment due to Colindres' attendance issues. Defendants Mario Carpenito, Jr., City of White Plains, and White Plains Parking Department opposed, asserting that the report was necessary to clarify alleged injuries, prepare for cross-examination, and facilitate settlement, highlighting Colindres' complex medical history predating the incident. The court denied both branches of Colindres' motion, finding that the rule applies broadly to personal injury actions, defendants did not waive their entitlement, and Colindres failed to prove it was impossible to obtain the report. The court ordered Colindres to exchange a compliant medical report from Diane Henry by March 27, 2017.

protective ordermedical report disclosurediscovery disputepsychological treatmentindependent medical examinationCPLR 310322 NYCRR 202.17waiver of discoveryundue hardshippersonal injury damages
References
12
Case No. ADJ3771318
Regular
May 13, 2009

FELIPE ANDRADE vs. UNION FRAMING, INC.

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed the original award, finding that an injured employee sustained a low back injury and was entitled to self-procure medical treatment outside the defendant's Medical Provider Network (MPN). The defendant argued the employee should have been treated within the MPN and that self-procurement was improper. The Board adopted the WCJ's report, but excluded a portion regarding MPN transfers, as no such transfer had yet been attempted. A concurring opinion suggested the employer should not be allowed to transfer care into the MPN if a lawful physician-patient relationship already exists and treatment is adequate.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationFindings and AwardApplicantDefendantLabor Code section 4600(a)Self-procure medical treatmentMedical provider network (MPN)Petition for ReconsiderationReport and Recommendation
References
8
Case No. ADJ1047594 (VNO 0549852)
Regular
Dec 22, 2016

Diane De Los Reyes vs. Mediscan, Zurich American Insurance Company

In this case, the applicant, Diane De Los Reyes, sought reimbursement for self-procured medical treatment related to her work-induced Reactive Airway Disease and Anxiety Disorder. The Appeals Board found that some of the applicant's self-procured treatment was likely industrial and reversed the WCJ's finding that all such treatment was non-industrial. The Board therefore rescinded the original order and returned the matter to the WCJ for further proceedings to determine the extent of reimbursable self-procured medical treatment and associated penalties. The applicant's entitlement to reimbursement for medical mileage and penalties thereon was affirmed.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationAgreed Medical EvaluatorReactive Airway DiseaseAnxiety DisorderSelf-procured Medical TreatmentReimbursementPenaltiesMedical MileageLabor Code § 4600(a)
References
9
Case No. ADJ7660641
Regular
Jan 12, 2012

BREANNA CLIFTON vs. SEARS HOLDING CORPORATION (KMART CORPORATION), administered by SEDGWICK CMS, INC.

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration of an award finding industrial injury to claimant's knee, foot, and ankle, temporary disability, and reimbursement for self-procured medical treatment. Defendant contested the award of temporary disability and self-procured treatment based on claimant's treatment outside the employer's Medical Provider Network (MPN), citing *Valdez*. The WCAB found the original decision lacked sufficient explanation regarding the MPN establishment and notice, and the employer's liability for self-procured treatment. Therefore, the WCAB amended the award to defer issues of temporary disability, self-procured treatment, and attorney's fees for further proceedings at the trial level.

MPNValdezKnightself-procured treatmentprimary treating physicianindustrial injurytemporary disabilityreconsiderationmedical provider networkWCJ
References
5
Case No. ADJ6774605
Regular
Sep 02, 2016

Tammy Tran vs. PROFESSIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRY, ZURICH LOS ANGELES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration of the Administrative Law Judge's (ALJ) decision, which limited reimbursement for self-procured medical treatment. The Board found that the ALJ erred by only allowing reimbursement for treatment from the claim date until the denial date. Citing *McCoy v. Industrial Accident Commission*, the Board determined that the employer is liable for all reasonably necessary self-procured medical expenses incurred after the employer denied the claim, as this denial effectively refused to provide treatment. Consequently, the Board rescinded the ALJ's award and remanded the case for further proceedings to determine the reasonableness of all self-procured medical expenses.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardSelf-Procured Medical TreatmentLabor Code Section 4600McCoy v. Industrial Accident CommissionDenial of ClaimReimbursementIndustrial InjuryReasonably Necessary Treatment
References
5
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Clark v. Siara Management, Inc.

Claimant, a custodian, sustained two work-related injuries in 2000, and his workers' compensation benefits were approved. In 2003, the employer's workers' compensation carrier requested an independent medical examination (IME) by Charles Totero. Claimant moved to preclude Totero's report, arguing it was improperly mailed by UMC Medical Consultants, EC., an IME services company, instead of Totero himself, in violation of Workers' Compensation Law § 137. Both a Workers' Compensation Law Judge and the Board denied the motion, finding UMC, as Totero's direct employer and a registered IME company, was authorized to perform administrative services like mailing reports under 12 NYCRR 300.2 (e) (1). The appellate court affirmed the decision, concluding that the submission substantially complied with statutory requirements.

IME Report AdmissibilityWorkers' Compensation Law § 137Procedural ComplianceMedical Report MailingIME Services CompanyAppellate AffirmationStatutory InterpretationIndependent Medical Examiner12 NYCRR 300.2
References
1
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