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. 2021 NY Slip Op 01469
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 11, 2021

Matter of Mayewski v. Superior Plus Energy Servs.

Claimant David Mayewski suffered work-related second and third-degree burns in 2013, leading to scarring and skin grafts. Following a permanency evaluation, his treating physician and an independent medical examiner offered reports concerning a schedule loss of use for his right arm and leg, and the treating physician also found a nonschedule permanent impairment for his torso/skin. The Workers' Compensation Law Judge and the Workers' Compensation Board both concluded that the injuries were amenable to a nonschedule classification. Mayewski appealed this decision, arguing it was limited to his torso and did not account for limited range of motion in his extremities. The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed the Board's decision, finding it supported by substantial evidence from the treating physician's report detailing objective skin disorder findings, thermal regulation issues, skin irritation, and intermittent pain.

Workers' CompensationSchedule Loss of UseNonschedule ClassificationPermanent Partial DisabilityBurnsSkin ImpairmentAppellate ReviewMedical EvidenceImpairment Guidelines
References
5
Case No. ADJ9771839
Regular
Jan 27, 2020

MICHAEL KARLIS vs. CITY OF GLENDALE

This case involves a firefighter's workers' compensation claim for injuries including to his spine, skin, and cardiovascular system. The defendant appealed the initial award, arguing for a cardiac MRI, disputing the cause of GERD, and questioning the disability rating for the skin condition. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration to address these issues. Ultimately, the Board affirmed the award, reducing the permanent disability rating slightly to 87% due to a re-evaluation of the skin condition impairment rating.

GERDNSAIDLVHechocardiogramcardiac MRIactinic keratosisprecancerous lesionsdisfigurementAMA Guidespermanent disability rating
References
0
Case No. ADJ3100377 (MON 0353282)
Regular
Nov 29, 2010

ANGELA RHYMES vs. LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, Permissibly Self-Insured, Administered By SEDGWICK CMS

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration and rescinded a prior award due to insufficient medical evidence. The WCAB found that the primary treating physician's impairment ratings were conclusory and lacked a solid basis, particularly regarding lower extremity and skin impairment. Furthermore, the WCAB questioned the inclusion of a digestive system impairment claim, as it was not raised in the original claim or at the initial hearing. The case is remanded for further development of the record, including supplemental reports from both physicians, to properly determine permanent disability and the digestive system injury claim.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationPermanent DisabilitySubstantial Medical EvidencePrimary Treating PhysicianQualified Medical EvaluatorAMA GuidesWhole Person ImpairmentLeft Ankle InjuryKeloid Scar
References
10
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

the Claim of Brigandi v. Town & Country Linoleum & Carpet

This case involves an appeal by an employer and its compensation carrier against decisions made by the Workers’ Compensation Board. The decedent, a carpet layer, died from cardiac arrest during work, with an autopsy revealing underlying coronary atherosclerotic disease. His widow was awarded death benefits. The employer’s carrier sought reimbursement from the Special Disability Fund under Workers’ Compensation Law § 15 (8), asserting a preexisting permanent physical impairment. However, the Board determined that there was no evidence that the decedent’s heart condition hindered his job potential before his death, thus releasing the Special Disability Fund from liability and holding the compensation carrier responsible. The employer's subsequent application for reconsideration was denied by the Board, leading to these appeals. The appellate court affirmed the Board's decisions, concluding that the Board rationally found no proof that the decedent's heart disease impaired his job potential, a necessary condition for reimbursement under WCL § 15 (8) (d).

Special Disability FundPreexisting Permanent ImpairmentCardiac ArrestCoronary Atherosclerotic DiseaseDeath Benefits ClaimEmployer ReimbursementCarrier LiabilityBoard Decision ReviewAppellate AffirmationMedical Evidence Interpretation
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Milner v. Country Developers, Inc.

The Special Disability Fund appealed decisions by the Workmen’s Compensation Board which imposed liability on the Fund for a claimant's injuries. The Board found that the employer, Country Developers, continued to employ the claimant, a carpenter, with knowledge of his pre-existing permanent physical impairment, triggering liability under subdivision 8 of section 15 of the Workmen’s Compensation Law. The claimant suffered a fracture of the nose and a hip dislocation in 1964, having a history of three ruptured disc surgeries and other conditions. The appeal centered on whether the employer had sufficient knowledge of the claimant’s permanent condition. Testimony from the employer’s foreman, Mr. Pahlck, indicated awareness of the claimant's back issues, including wearing a back brace and being favored by co-workers. The court affirmed the Board’s decision, reiterating that employer knowledge is a question of fact for the Board, and its findings, if supported by substantial evidence, will not be disturbed.

Workers' Compensation LawSpecial Disability FundEmployer LiabilityPre-existing Permanent ImpairmentEmployer KnowledgeSubstantial EvidencePermanent Partial DisabilityFracture of NoseHip DislocationRuptured Discs
References
3
Case No. ADJ6662275
Regular
Jun 13, 2011

DARRIN BEAN vs. CITY OF CHULA VISTA

This case involves an applicant seeking workers' compensation for a skin cancer injury. The applicant contests the testimony of an independent medical expert, Dr. Brigham, who offered an opinion on his impairment rating that differed from the agreed medical evaluator's (AME). The Appeals Board granted the applicant's Petition for Removal, ruling that Dr. Brigham's testimony was inadmissible as he was neither an AME nor a treating physician and his testimony was not in rebuttal to formal rating instructions. Consequently, Dr. Brigham's testimony was stricken, the prior order was rescinded, and the case was returned to the trial level for further proceedings based solely on admissible medical evidence.

Petition for RemovalAgreed Medical EvaluatorAMA GuidesWhole Person ImpairmentPermanent Disability RatingClass 1 ImpairmentClass 2 ImpairmentClass 3 ImpairmentMedical Evidence AdmissibilityRebuttal Testimony
References
4
Case No. ADJ8413521
Regular
Apr 13, 2020

STEVEN KING vs. COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO

This Workers' Compensation Appeals Board case involves applicant Steven King's claims for injury arising out of and occurring in the course of employment, including bilateral shoulders, lumbar spine, cardiac system, hernia, skin disorder, hearing loss, and hypertension. The Board affirmed the finding of injury AOE/COE and the hypertension rating but remanded the case for further development of the record regarding the applicant's lumbar spine impairment. The administrative law judge's prior rejection of the Agreed Medical Examiner's (AME) supplemental opinion on lumbar spine disability was deemed an improper disregard of substantial medical evidence.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationAmended Findings and Awardinjury arising out of and occurring in the course of employmentbilateral shoulderslumbar spinecardiac systemherniaskin disorderhearing loss
References
8
Case No. ADJ3057272 (RDG 0125821)
Regular
Dec 03, 2010

FIDEL NAZARENO vs. OLD DURHAM WOOD COMPANY, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case involves a defendant's petition for reconsideration of a permanent disability award, arguing the Agreed Medical Evaluator's (AME) impairment rating was inconsistent with AMA Guides. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the award, and returned the matter for further development of the record. Issues include the DEU rater improperly separating AME's combined whole person impairment and the AME needing to clarify his reasoning on grip loss and potential overlap with other impairments. The AME will also re-evaluate impairment without referencing prior DEU ratings.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDAgreed Medical EvaluatorAMEpermanent disabilityAMA GuidesDEU raterrating instructionswhole person impairmentFindings and AwardPetition for Reconsideration
References
1
Case No. ADJ7927652
Regular
Oct 25, 2016

Bozenna Kasperowicz vs. Metropolitan State Hospital, State Compensation Insurance Fund

This case involves an industrial injury to the applicant, a psychiatric technician, sustained on June 14, 2011, from a patient strike to the head. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration to address disputes over psychiatric impairment and a sleep disorder rating. The WCAB affirmed the original award but reduced the permanent disability rating from 76% to 70% by excluding the sleep dysfunction impairment. The WCAB found Dr. O'Brien's opinion on psychiatric impairment more persuasive than conflicting medical evaluations and determined Dr. Matos's opinion on sleep impairment lacked substantial medical evidence due to staleness.

WCABReconsiderationPsychiatric ImpairmentWhole Person ImpairmentGAF ScoreSleep DisorderSubstantial Medical EvidencePermanent DisabilityQualified Medical EvaluatorInsomnia
References
0
Case No. ADJ10243412
Regular
Jun 10, 2019

DEBRA LUX vs. COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA

This case involves an injured firefighter seeking workers' compensation for a right knee injury. The defendant sought reconsideration of a finding of 17% permanent disability, arguing the administrative law judge erred by combining range of motion and diagnosis-based impairments, and by not apportioning the diagnosis-based impairment. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration, finding the medical evaluator adequately explained the departure from standard AMA Guides methodology for rating the combined impairments. The Board also affirmed no apportionment of the diagnosis-based impairment as no substantial evidence showed non-industrial factors contributed to the need for surgery.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardApplicantDefendantPermissibly Self-InsuredAdministered by CORVELFirefighterIndustrial InjuryRight KneePermanent DisabilityWhole Person Impairment
References
5
Showing 1-10 of 795 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