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Case Law Database

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

Case No. ADJ387954 (OXN 0145858) ADJ2973719 (OXN 0145147)
Regular
Oct 27, 2017

FRANCISCO PRIETO vs. O.C. CONTRACTING, INC., AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC., UNINSURED EMPLOYERS BENEFITS TRUST FUND

This case concerns a Petition for Reimbursement filed by Granite State Insurance Company against the Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund (UEBTF). Granite State mistakenly paid workers' compensation benefits to an employee injured while working for an uninsured employer. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) rescinded a prior order granting reimbursement, holding that UEBTF is not statutorily liable to reimburse insurance carriers for erroneous payments. The WCAB emphasized that UEBTF's purpose is to provide benefits to injured workers of uninsured employers, not to indemnify insurers. A dissenting opinion argued for amending the order to allow reimbursement to Granite State through applicant from funds UEBTF owes the applicant.

Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust FundGranite State Insurance CompanyPetition for ReimbursementLabor Code sections 37153716mistaken paymentillegally uninsured employerLabor Code section 4909creditdirect reimbursement
References
0
Case No. LAO 0784069
Regular
Feb 11, 2008

RICARDO LOPEZ vs. HYON SEOP KIM, Individually and dba H.B. CONSTRUCTION, AARON SONG, an Individual, Illegally Uninsured, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, As Administrator of THE UNINSURED EMPLOYERS BENEFITS TRUST FUND

The Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund (UEBTF) was not liable for a penalty on an attorney's fee award due to unreasonable delay. However, Labor Code section 3716.2 obligates the UEBTF to seek such penalties in civil enforcement actions against uninsured employers. Therefore, the Appeals Board amended the award to clarify that while UEBTF is not directly liable for the penalty, it remains part of the underlying award that UEBTF must pursue from the uninsured employers.

Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust FundUEBTFAttorney's fee awardLabor Code section 5814Labor Code section 3716.2Civil suitReconsiderationFindings and AwardWCJPenalty
References
1
Case No. ADJ843966 (SDO 0338705)
Regular
Dec 13, 2013

Reed Thomas Kirby vs. Arthur Gonzales, STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANY, KEITH PATRICK DONNELLY, UNINSURED EMPLOYERS BENEFITS TRUST FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration to amend a prior award. The WCAB affirmed the finding that the applicant sustained an injury while employed as a tree trimmer by an uninsured employer, Keith Patrick Donnelly. However, the WCAB amended the award to reflect that liability rests solely with the uninsured employer, not the Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund (UEBTF), as UEBTF's liability is derivative. The WCAB rejected arguments that the City of San Diego was also responsible and confirmed the applicant is entitled to benefits from Donnelly.

Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust FundUEBTFKeith Patrick DonnellyTarzan Tree SpecialistsArthur GonzalesState Farm Insurance Companytree trimmerderivative defendantLabor Code section 3352(h)City of San Diego
References
2
Case No. ADJ1543435
Regular
Feb 04, 2013

Sergio Cordero vs. Michael Bernier dba Pacific Services, Stellrecht Company, State Compensation Insurance Fund, Uninsured Employers Benefit Trust Fund

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration, upholding the finding that the applicant was injured in the course and scope of employment with an unlicensed contractor, Michael Bernier. The Board gave great weight to the Workers' Compensation Judge's credibility determination regarding the employer's testimony. The applicant's injury occurred while he was directed by Bernier to remove solar panels from a property owned by Stellrecht Company. The Board clarified the distinction between "course of employment" and "scope of employment" in workers' compensation law to affirm the decision.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationWCJ credibilitycourse and scope of employmentunlicensed contractoruninsured contractorgeneral-special relationshipLabor Code §2750.5B&P §7125.2Blew v. Horner
References
5
Case No. ADJ8556609
Regular
Jul 01, 2018

LUIS ROBLES vs. THE ESTATE OF VICKY BLEAZARD, dba BLEAZARD COMPANY, UNINSURED EMPLOYERS BENEFITS TRUST FUND

The WCAB granted the applicant's petition for removal, reversing the WCJ's decision that denied joinder of the employer's estate and the Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund (UEBTF). The Board clarified that Labor Code § 5306 permits workers' compensation claims against a deceased uninsured employer's estate, irrespective of probate presentation. Furthermore, the Board found UEBTF properly joined due to the Estate's general appearance and service of a special notice of lawsuit. Consequently, the case is returned for further proceedings with both the Estate and UEBTF joined as defendants.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for RemovalEstate of Vicky BleazardUninsured Employers Benefits Trust FundLabor Code § 3715Labor Code § 5306general appearancespecial notice of lawsuitprobate courtstatute of limitations
References
2
Case No. ADJ10531850
Regular
Aug 14, 2018

JORGE MACIEL IBARRA vs. TIM CAGLE, individually, doing business as TIM CAGLE DRYWALL, GREGORY AND BROOKE BAIRD, UNINSURED EMPLOYERS BENEFITS TRUST FUND (UEBTF), ALLIED SACRAMENTO

This Workers' Compensation Appeals Board case involves applicant Jorge Maciel Ibarra's claim for an industrial injury as a drywall installer. The primary issue is whether applicant was a household employee, as the Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund (UEBTF) argues for exclusion. The Board rescinded the initial findings and remanded the case for the WCJ to first determine the identity of the employer and insurance status. If Tim Cagle Drywall is uninsured, the WCJ must then decide if the applicant, as an employee of an unlicensed contractor, meets the household employee wage and hour thresholds for coverage.

UEBTFPetition for ReconsiderationHousehold EmployeeLabor Code section 3352(h)Ultimate HirerUninsured ContractorLicensed ContractorSection 2750.5(c)Section 3351(d)Workers' Compensation Appeals Board
References
5
Case No. ADJ13090134
Regular
Aug 14, 2025

OLIVIA RAMIREZ vs. ISIDRO A. MEJIA, ZINDER JANITORIAL CO., UNINSURED EMPLOYERS BENEFITS TRUST FUND, BOURBON PUB/PARADIES LAGARDERE, SENTRY INSURANCE

Applicant Olivia Ramirez sustained an injury to her knee and ankle on November 17, 2019, while employed by Isidro A. Mejia and Zinder Janitorial Co., who were uninsured for workers' compensation. The Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund (UEBTF) successfully joined Paradies Lagardere as a co-defendant, alleging joint employer status. The Workers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge (WCJ) initially found Paradies to be a joint employer in Findings of Fact issued on May 15, 2025. Paradies sought reconsideration, disputing the joint employer finding and the injury arising out of and in the course of employment (AOE/COE). The Appeals Board reviewed the petition, the UEBTF's answer, and the WCJ's report, ultimately granting reconsideration but deferring a final decision on the merits, indicating further review of the record and applicable law is necessary. The decision also clarified that Labor Code sections 2775 and 2776, related to employee classification, do not apply retroactively to the date of injury in this case.

Joint employerUninsured employersParadies LagardereZinder JanitorialIsidro MejiaWCJPetition for ReconsiderationAOE/COELabor Code section 5909EAMS
References
17
Case No. ADJ749878 (ANA 0384761)
Regular
Dec 15, 2010

ENRIQUE GUTIERREZ vs. FRANCISCO ORDONEZ, UNINSURED EMPLOYERS BENEFITS TRUST FUND

The Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund (UEBTF) sought reconsideration of an award based on stipulated facts concerning an industrial injury to applicant. The Board granted reconsideration because there was no proof that the alleged uninsured employer was properly served with notice of the stipulations and the WCJ's intention to issue an award. The employer was not afforded the statutorily required time to object before the award was issued. Consequently, the Board rescinded the award and returned the case for further proceedings, emphasizing proper service and objection periods.

Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust FundPetition for ReconsiderationStipulations With Request For AwardLabor Code section 3715(e)Notice of Intention to Approve StipulationsProof of ServiceAlleged Uninsured EmployerRescind AwardDeclaration of Readiness to ProceedMandatory Settlement Conference
References
0
Case No. ADJ7125024
Regular
Apr 07, 2014

JOSHUA INGMAN vs. GRANT'S BOBCAT AND HAULING, R4CORPORATION, INC., LABOR READY, CITY OF SACRAMENTO, UNINSURED EMPLOYERS BENEFITS TRUST FUND, CASTLEPOINT NATIONAL INSURANCE, NEW HAMPSHIRE INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the Uninsured Employers Benefit Trust Fund's (UEBTF) Petition for Removal. The Board found that the UEBTF failed to demonstrate substantial prejudice or irreparable harm from the WCJ's decision. Furthermore, the Board noted that reconsideration would be an adequate remedy if an adverse decision ultimately issued. Given the significant delay in the applicant receiving benefits, the ongoing insurance coverage arbitration, and the UEBTF's available remedies for recovery, removal was deemed an inappropriate extraordinary remedy.

RemovalUninsured Employers Benefit Trust FundUEBTFSubstantial PrejudiceIrreparable HarmReconsiderationInsurance CoverageArbitrationLabor Code Section 2750.5Meier case
References
3
Case No. ADJ1883473
Regular
Dec 14, 2018

JOSE MANUEL SALDIVAR vs. REUEL SARABIA CIPRIANO, dba GENESIS GENERAL BUILDING CONTRACTOR, INC., ALEXANDER LEIGH, DAVID LEIGH, UNINSURED EMPLOYERS BENEFITS TRUST FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) rescinded its prior findings and substituted new ones, determining Alexander Leigh was the employer of Jose Manuel Saldivar. The Board found that the unlicensed and uninsured contractor, Reuel Sarabia Cipriano, was acting as an employee of the property owner, Alexander Leigh, as a matter of law, due to Cipriano's failure to maintain a valid contractor's license and workers' compensation insurance. The WCAB specifically rejected the argument that Cipriano's alleged misrepresentations to the property owner estopped the injured worker or the Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund (UEBTF) from establishing Leigh as the employer. Therefore, the WCAB ordered that Leigh, as the ultimate hirer, was legally responsible for Saldivar's industrial injury.

Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fundillegally uninsuredunlicensed contractorultimate hireremployee statusindependent contractorestoppeldue processcross-examinationDeclaration of David Leigh
References
15
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