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Case No. ADJ17148489

Regular

Jul 14, 2025

VERONICA SOTO VILLEGAS vs. ORANGE COUNTY PLASTERING COMPANY, INC.; CYPRESS INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the defendants' petition for reconsideration regarding an industrial death claim and the dependency status of a minor stepchild. The Board affirmed the WCJ's finding that the deceased employee contracted COVID-19 at work due to an increased risk from his employment in enclosed spaces with infected co-workers. Furthermore, the Board upheld the finding that the stepchild was a total dependent, emphasizing a liberal interpretation of Labor Code sections 3501 and 4703.5 to include stepchildren within the definition of "child" for death benefits. This decision highlighted the importance of statutory context and legislative intent to protect dependent minors.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationLabor CodeCOVID-19Industrial InjuryDeath BenefitsDependencyStepchildIncreased RiskCausation

References

Case No. ADJ1940516 (GOL 0101910)

Regular

Apr 29, 2011

TONY COSTANTINO (Deceased), ELLIE COSTANTINO (Widow), CIERA MILLENDER (Dependent) vs. SANTA BARBARA SCHOOL DISTRICT

This case concerns whether a stepdaughter is entitled to the conclusive presumption of total dependency for workers' compensation death benefits under Labor Code section 3501. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) rescinded the prior award, holding that the conclusive presumption does not apply to stepchildren absent legal adoption. The Board found insufficient evidence regarding the stepdaughter's actual dependency and returned the matter for further proceedings to develop the record on this issue. The WCAB clarified that while stepchildren can be dependents, the specific statutory presumption of total dependency is limited to "children" under the law.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardIndustrial InjuryDeath BenefitsDependencyLabor Code Section 3501Conclusive PresumptionStepchildPartial DependentReconsiderationWCJ

References

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VERONICA SOTO VILLEGAS vs. ORANGE COUNTY PLASTERING COMPANY, INC.; CYPRESS INSURANCE COMPANY

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationLabor CodeCOVID-19Industrial InjuryDeath BenefitsDependencyStepchildIncreased RiskCausation

TONY COSTANTINO (Deceased), ELLIE COSTANTINO (Widow), CIERA MILLENDER (Dependent) vs. SANTA BARBARA SCHOOL DISTRICT

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardIndustrial InjuryDeath BenefitsDependencyLabor Code Section 3501Conclusive PresumptionStepchildPartial DependentReconsiderationWCJ