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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. ADJ7532885
Regular
Aug 01, 2016

DAVID AREVALO vs. THE MILLARD GROUP, AIG/NATIONAL UNION FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted the employer's petition for reconsideration, rescinding prior findings. The Board found the initial decision lacked substantial evidence and failed to address crucial issues like the MPN's validity and the employer's loss of medical control. The case is returned to the trial level for further proceedings to determine these issues and whether the employer refused, delayed, or denied medical treatment. The initial finding of denied treatment was based on insufficient evidence to establish liability for self-procured treatment.

MPNMedical Provider NetworkRefusal of TreatmentDelay of TreatmentDenial of TreatmentLoss of Medical ControlPanel Qualified Medical ExaminerPQMELien ClaimantsPrimary Treating Physician
References
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
Case No. ADJ8234651 MF ADJ8234652
Regular
Sep 12, 2014

ZULEMA MIRANDA vs. ARAMARK, permissibly self-insured

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and reversed the Administrative Law Judge's (ALJ) order compelling the employer to authorize out-of-network shoulder surgery. The Board found insufficient evidence that the employer denied, refused, or neglected to provide reasonable treatment for the applicant's left shoulder within its Medical Provider Network (MPN). Therefore, the employer is not liable for the self-procured treatment sought by the applicant outside the MPN.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardMedical Provider NetworkMPNUtilization ReviewURAgreed Medical EvaluatorAMECumulative InjurySpecific InjuryPetition for Reconsideration
References
Case No. ADJ9438610
Regular
Sep 26, 2014

LUIS MENDIZABAL vs. C. E. LIMITED, INC., dba CENTRAL ENTERPRISES, ZENITH NORTH AMERICAN COMMERCIAL INSURANCE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinding prior findings that the defendant failed to provide MPN information and that the applicant properly self-procured care. The Board found the defendant timely provided MPN notice in May 2014, not May 2013 as initially determined. Consequently, the defendant is not liable for self-procured treatment, and the case is returned to the trial level.

Medical Provider NetworkMPN transfer of careself-procured medical treatmentreconsiderationFindings of FactWCJadministrative law judgeindustrial injuryright kneenotice of transfer
References
Case No. ADJ7431195 ADJ7431206
Regular
Oct 14, 2011

MARICELA SANCHEZ vs. AMERICAN PRINTWORKS / P & Y T-SHIRTS AND SILK SCREENINGS COMPANY, INC., ZENITH INSURANCE COMPANY

This case involves a workers' compensation applicant seeking reconsideration of a prior Appeals Board decision. The Board denied reconsideration, upholding its prior ruling that the defendant provided proper notice of its Medical Provider Network (MPN) and that the applicant was not entitled to payment for self-procured medical treatment outside the MPN. The Board found that the defendant cured any initial notification defects and that the applicant continued self-procuring treatment after being properly notified. Therefore, the defendant is not liable for the applicant's unauthorized medical expenses.

Medical Provider NetworkMPNPetition for ReconsiderationAdministrative Director's RulesNotice of RightsSelf-Procured TreatmentTimely NoticeReasonable Medical TreatmentInadmissible TreatmentAppeals Board en banc
References
Case No. ADJ2401554 (FRE 023126)
Regular
Jan 07, 2013

JOSHUA GROSSMAN vs. ARAMARK UNIFORM SERVICE, ACE AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY

The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, reversing the judge's decision and finding the defendant liable for self-procured medical treatment. The defendant failed to prove they properly transferred the applicant into their Medical Provider Network (MPN) and neglected or refused to provide reasonable treatment by failing to ensure MPN physician availability. Consequently, the applicant's self-procured treatment from the lien claimant is deemed reasonable and compensable. The defendant is liable for the reasonable cost of this treatment, plus interest and penalties.

MPNself-procured medical treatmentneglect or refusal to provide medical treatmentprimary treating physicianlien claimantreasonable medical treatmentAramark Uniform ServiceAce American Insurance CompanySan Joaquin Accident & Medical GroupKnight v. Liberty Mut. Ins. Co.
References
Case No. ADJ8787215
Regular
Jan 10, 2014

FILIBERTO MARTINEZ vs. VORTEX WHIRLPOOL SYSTEMS, INC.; CYPRESS INSURANCE COMPANY, c/o BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESTATE COMPANIES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied Filberto Martinez's petition for reconsideration. Martinez sought reimbursement for self-procured medical treatment outside the defendant's Medical Provider Network (MPN), claiming the defendant failed to provide adequate care. The Board found that the defendant provided timely MPN notice and initial medical treatment. Martinez's claim that the treatment was ineffective or a misdiagnosis did not justify self-procurement, as he failed to utilize available internal MPN dispute resolution processes.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationMedical Provider Network (MPN)Labor Code section 4616.3Self-procured medical treatmentExpedited HearingLabor Code section 4600Medical utilization treatment scheduleIndependent Medical Review (IMR)Findings and Order
References
Case No. ADJ8035089, ADJ8033530, ADJ8033513
Regular
Jun 27, 2012

Linda Barajas vs. First Group America, Chartis

The Appeals Board overturned a WCJ's denial of reimbursement for a self-procured gym membership. The applicant's claim was in delay status when her physician prescribed the membership, and she notified the adjuster without objection before purchasing it. The Board found the gym membership reasonable and consistent with ACOEM guidelines for shoulder treatment, though limited to six months. Therefore, the applicant is awarded one-half the cost of her 12-month membership as reasonable self-procured medical treatment.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationSelf-procured medical treatmentGym membershipTreating physicianDelay statusACOEM guidelinesLabor Code 5402(c)Utilization reviewIndustrial injury
References
Case No. ADJ1116494
Regular
Jun 29, 2009

FAUSTO NORIEGA vs. LA FABRIC IMPORTS, INC., PREFERRED EMPLOYERS INSURANCE COMPANY

The applicant sustained an admitted industrial injury and initially received treatment within the defendant's Medical Provider Network (MPN). The defendant provided initial MPN notices and authorized further specialist treatment for the applicant within the MPN. The applicant later began self-procuring unauthorized treatment outside the MPN against the defendant's objections. The Board found the defendant did not fail to provide or authorize necessary treatment, therefore it is not liable for the self-procured expenses.

Medical Provider NetworkMPNSelf-procured treatmentReconsiderationFindings of FactMedical treatmentIndustrial injuryForklift operatorNotice requirementsWorkers' Compensation Appeals Board
References
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