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

Case No. ADJ10110995 (MF)
Regular
Jun 20, 2019

Preston Lee Brown Scott vs. City of Los Angeles

Applicant Preston Lee Brown Scott, previously declared a vexatious litigant, filed multiple documents seeking relief without obtaining the required pre-filing approval. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board reviewed these filings and found no significant change in circumstances justifying reconsideration of prior rulings. Consequently, the Board issued an order stating that the submitted documents are not accepted for filing. This order reaffirms the pre-filing requirements for vexatious litigants absent representation by a licensed attorney.

Vexatious LitigantPre-Filing OrderAppeals Board Rule 10782In Pro PerApplication for AdjudicationDeclaration of ReadinessPleadingsPetitionLicensed AttorneyChange in Circumstances
References
6
Case No. FRE 0212901
Regular
Jul 23, 2008

JANETTA SCONIERS vs. COLEMAN & HOROWITT, LLP, AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY, BROADSPIRE

The applicant, Janetta Sconiers, has been declared a vexatious litigant and ordered to pay a $1,000 sanction. This decision stems from her repeated filing of frivolous and duplicative petitions to disqualify the judge and set aside prior orders, despite previous admonitions and sanctions. Consequently, her future filings will require approval from the presiding Workers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge.

Vexatious LitigantPropria PersonaWCJ DisqualificationFrivolous PleadingsBad Faith ConductSanctionsDuplicative FilingsAffirmative ReliefWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardLabor Code Section 5813
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In Re Simon II Litigation

Senior District Judge Weinstein issued an order concerning the consolidation and scheduling of various class action lawsuits within the broader tobacco litigation. The court emphasized the need for expeditious resolution of claims and suggested advancing test cases to assess class certification viability. The order outlines specific directives for asbestos-related cases, Blue Cross cases, union health fund actions, and individual plaintiff cases, often awaiting appellate decisions or setting new pretrial hearings and class certification motions for dates in late 2001 and early 2002. This order reflects the court's tentative views on managing these complex and expensive cases.

Tobacco LitigationClass ActionConsolidationTrial ScheduleCase ManagementPretrial HearingFederal CourtsCivil ProcedureAsbestos LitigationMedical Litigation
References
8
Case No. ADJ10731404
Regular
Oct 09, 2018

PRESTON LEE BROWN SCOTT vs. CITY OF LOS ANGELES, OPSEC; THE HARTFORD

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) is issuing a notice of intention to declare applicant Preston Lee Brown Scott a vexatious litigant. This action is prompted by Mr. Scott's repeated filing of unmeritorious and repetitive claims and petitions, despite being informed of procedural rules and settlement agreements. If declared a vexatious litigant, Mr. Scott will be subject to a pre-filing order requiring him to obtain permission before filing any new documents or applications with the WCAB. This measure aims to prevent further abuse of the judicial process and conserve WCAB resources.

Vexatious litigantAppeals BoardPre-filing orderPropria personaReconsiderationLabor CodeCarve-out agreementADRCompromise and ReleaseSection 132a
References
20
Case No. ADJ6621190 (MF)
Regular
Jan 18, 2019

DEANNA CARROLL vs. WINCO HOLDINGS, INC., LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

Applicant Deanna Carroll was previously declared a vexatious litigant in 2016, requiring pre-approval to file any requests with the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB). In this decision, the WCAB reviewed a Petition for Removal for Cause filed by Carroll in propria persona on December 4, 2018. Finding no significant change in circumstances or newly discovered evidence since the prior determination, the WCAB declined to accept the petition for filing. Therefore, Carroll's petition was rejected as per the vexatious litigant pre-filing order.

Vexatious litigantpre-filing orderAppeals Board Rule 10782Petition for Removal for Causein pro pernew evidencechange in lawpresiding judgelicensed attorneydeclaration of readiness
References
0
Case No. ADJ982538 (SAC 0225494)
Regular
Jun 09, 2009

GARY SEABROOKS vs. BFI MEDICAL WASTE SYSTEMS, RISK SERVICES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) dismissed applicant Gary Seabrooks' numerous petitions because they were filed without a corresponding final determination. The WCAB removed the case on its own motion to address Seabrooks' pattern of repeatedly filing unmeritorious and harassing documents, which has consumed significant board resources. Consequently, the WCAB has issued a notice of intention to declare Seabrooks a vexatious litigant and impose a prefiling order, restricting his ability to file future documents without prior leave. This action is intended to prevent further abuse of the workers' compensation system and allow for the expeditious resolution of other parties' cases.

Vexatious litigantpropria personapetitions for reconsiderationdismissalremovalnotice of intentionRule 10782Labor Code section 5310unmeritorious petitionsharassment
References
14
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Franklin National Bank Securities Litigation v. Ernst & Ernst

The court addresses a motion by John Brown and the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) to intervene and modify a confidentiality order. This order was part of a complex settlement resolving litigation stemming from the 1974 insolvency of Franklin National Bank. Brown and PIRG sought disclosure of settlement terms from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) under the Freedom of Information Act, but were denied due to the existing protective order. The court grants permissive intervention to Brown and PIRG, acknowledging a common legal question regarding the validity of the secret settlement. However, the court ultimately denies their motion to modify the secrecy order, reaffirming the importance of upholding the original confidential settlement, which was crucial for resolving extensive litigation and saving significant resources. The court found that the balance of public and private interests, considered at the time of the original order, had not shifted sufficiently to warrant unsealing the records.

InterventionConfidentiality OrderFreedom of Information ActFOIASettlement AgreementProtective OrderFinancial InsolvencyMultidistrict LitigationPublic Interest LitigationDisclosure of Records
References
18
Case No. ADJ761271 (SJO 0070447)
Regular
Sep 22, 2010

Dorothy Thompson vs. GENERAL MOTORS, Permissibly SelfInsured, Adjusted by SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board has declared Dorothy Thompson a vexatious litigant. This declaration follows a notice issued on September 7, 2010, to which no response was received. As a result, any future filings by Ms. Thompson in propria persona will be considered "conditionally filed." Such filings will only be deemed properly filed after a judge or the Board determines they do not violate Rule 10782(a).

Vexatious LitigantPre-filing OrderWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardPropria PersonaRule 10782(a)Conditionally FiledPermissibly Self-InsuredSedgwick Claims Management ServicesNotice of IntentionPresiding Workers' Compensation Judge
References
0
Case No. ADJ9388991; ADJ9388992
Regular
Nov 04, 2025

RUTILIO PORTILLO GUARDADO vs. JBC282 AUTO, UNINSURED EMPLOYERS BENEFITS TRUST FUND

Applicant Rutilio Portillo Guardado sought reconsideration of the Findings and Orders issued on August 19, 2025, which declared him a vexatious litigant and imposed a pre-filing order. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) adopted the Workers' Compensation Judge's (WCJ) Report and Recommendation, detailing the applicant's history of repeatedly filing unsubstantiated claims and demands for a large settlement check despite his case being settled in 2022. The WCAB found the applicant's petition for reconsideration to be without merit and, for the reasons stated in the WCJ's report, denied the petition, affirming the vexatious litigant finding and the pre-filing order.

Vexatious litigantPre-Filing OrderPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and OrdersReport and RecommendationLabor Code Section 5909Electronic Adjudication Management SystemWCAB Rule 10430Compromise and ReleaseUninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund
References
0
Case No. ADJ4599548 (MON 0212034), ADJ1776170 (MON 0224335)
Regular
Sep 17, 2012

KRISTIAN VON RITZHOFF vs. OGDEN ENTERTAINMENT, AIG, BROADSPIRE, a CRAWFORD COMPANY

Kristian Von Ritzhoff has been declared a vexatious litigant by the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) under California Code of Regulations, title 8, section 10782. This designation requires him to obtain prior approval from the Presiding Judge or the Appeals Board before filing any pleadings, unless represented by a licensed attorney. The WCAB reviewed a Petition for Reconsideration filed by Von Ritzhoff, dated September 10, 2012, and determined it was *not accepted* for filing. This ruling signifies the Board's adherence to the pre-filing order in managing the applicant's litigation activities.

Vexatious litigantPre-filing orderWCABWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationRemovalExtraordinary remedyDeputy CommissionerOgden EntertainmentBroadspire
References
3
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