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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. ADJ8026817
Regular
Apr 22, 2013

MARIA OCHOA vs. RANGERS DIE CASTING COMPANY, COMPWEST INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration of a decision finding the applicant sustained injury to her respiratory system and psyche AOE/COE. The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr. Lipper and Dr. Curtis lacked substantiality. Specifically, the physicians failed to provide clear diagnoses, quantify exposures, or adequately explain causation. The Board noted contradictory testimony from the applicant's supervisor and insufficient evidence to support the initial findings.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardMaria OchoaRangers Die Casting CompanyCOMPWEST INSURANCE COMPANYADJ8026817Los Angeles District OfficeOpinion and Order Granting ReconsiderationDecision After ReconsiderationFindings of FactWorkers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge (WCJ)
References
Case No. RDG 0095368; RDG 0095369; RDG 0095573; RDG 0126270
Regular
Sep 25, 2007

HENRY PHILLIPE vs. GOTTSCHALKS, LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE

The Appeals Board granted reconsideration to allow reimbursement for the applicant's vocational expert fees, reversing the WCJ's decision. The Board found it reasonable for the applicant to hire his own vocational expert to rebut the defendant's expert, especially given the passage of time since the original vocational feasibility report. Consequently, the defendant was ordered to reimburse the applicant's attorney for the $1,075.00 vocational expert cost.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationExpert Witness FeesVocational ExpertLabor Code Section 5811Qualified Rehabilitation Representative (QRR)LeBoeuf argumentAgreed Medical Examination (AME)Permanent DisabilityIndustrial Injury
References
Case No. FRE 0065599
Regular
Mar 04, 2008

JOHN ALLEN vs. KENT MAGNELL CONSTRUCTION, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied John Allen's petition for reconsideration, affirming the WCJ's decision to terminate his vocational rehabilitation services due to a consistent failure to cooperate. The Board found that Allen's persistent insistence on a specific, unachievable vocational goal, coupled with his refusal to undergo necessary medical evaluations and provide requested records, led to the impasse. Consequently, his request for retroactive benefits and vocational rehabilitation was denied.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardVocational RehabilitationPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and OrderRehabilitation UnitSuitable Gainful EmploymentVocational Rehabilitation Maintenance AllowanceAverage Weekly EarningsTemporary Disability IndemnityCompromise and Release
References
Case No. SFO 0500209
Regular
Jul 01, 2008

LAVENDER GALVAO vs. KINKO'S, ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY

The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, amending the prior award to allow the employer a credit against Vocational Rehabilitation Maintenance Allowance (VRMA) for wages earned by the applicant from subsequent employment. While the applicant was found to be a Qualified Injured Worker (QIW) entitled to vocational rehabilitation services and VRMA, the Board distinguished this case from *Gamble v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.*, finding that the applicant's subsequent employment replaced her injured position rather than being concurrent. Therefore, allowing the credit prevents the applicant from receiving a windfall and is consistent with the wage-loss basis of temporary disability indemnity.

Qualified Injured WorkerVocational Rehabilitation ServicesVocational Rehabilitation Maintenance AllowanceVRMATemporary Disability RateCredit for Wages EarnedWage Loss BasisRehabilitation UnitFindings Order AwardPetition for Reconsideration
References
Case No. ADJ6828125
Regular
2016-09-00

JACOB DAVIS vs. O'BRIEN MARKET, INC., WAUSAU INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted applicant Jacob Davis's petition for reconsideration. The Board rescinded the prior award of 39% permanent disability, finding that the trial judge erred in rejecting vocational expert testimony without proper grounds. The case is remanded to the trial level for further proceedings to adequately develop the record regarding the applicant's psychiatric work restrictions and vocational feasibility, particularly concerning the impact of industrial injury versus non-industrial factors.

Petition for ReconsiderationVocational ExpertScheduled RatingPermanent DisabilityPsychiatric Work RestrictionsVocational FeasibilityCumulative InjuryRebuttal EvidenceMedical EvaluatorsApportionment
References
Case No. ADJ10908468
Regular
Jun 30, 2025

DANIEL DORIS vs. DBI BEVERAGES, ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY, GALLAGHER BASSETT SERVICES

Defendant filed a Petition for Reconsideration of a Findings and Award, challenging the deferral of issues regarding catastrophic injury and vocational expert fees. The Appeals Board, treating the petition under a removal standard despite a final order, agreed with the WCJ that the record was incomplete concerning applicant's work restrictions and vocational feasibility, thus requiring further development. Concluding that the defendant failed to establish substantial prejudice or irreparable harm, and that reconsideration would be an adequate remedy if an adverse final decision ultimately issues, the Board denied the Petition for Reconsideration.

Petition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardCervical spineLumbar spinePsychUpper extremitiesLower extremitiesBowelBladderApportionment
References
Case No. FRE 0185879, FRE 0094306
Regular
Dec 20, 2007

RHONDA KAREN GAITHER vs. BECKMAN COULTER, INC., INSURANCE COMPANY OF PENNSYLVANIA

The Appeals Board granted reconsideration to amend an award for Rhonda Karen Gaither. While affirming the 91% permanent disability, the Board added a life pension, increasing the attorney's fees to 15% of the total award, including the commuted value of the pension. The Board adopted the Workers' Compensation Judge's reasoning regarding vocational rehabilitation feasibility and the credibility of expert testimony.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardRhonda Karen GaitherBeckman CoulterInc.Insurance Company of PennsylvaniaAIG Claims ServicesInc.Findings and AwardPermanent DisabilityVocational Rehabilitation
References
Case No. ADJ8210063; ADJ8621818
Regular
Feb 27, 2025

GRACE NUNES vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES; administered by STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

Grace Nunes, an applicant, sustained industrial injuries to her neck, left shoulder, and bilateral upper extremities while employed by the State of California, Department of Motor Vehicles. Following a prior reconsideration, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) clarified that 'vocational apportionment' is impermissible and vocational evidence must align with medical apportionment. The Workers' Compensation Judge (WCJ) ordered further development of the record with the Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) and vocational experts to comply with the Board's decisions. Applicant petitioned for reconsideration or removal of this interlocutory order, which the Appeals Board denied, affirming the WCJ's discretion to develop the record for a just and reasoned decision.

Industrial injuryNeck injuryShoulder injuryBilateral upper extremitiesField representativeVocational retrainingPermanent and total disabilityVocational apportionmentMedical apportionmentQualified Medical Evaluator
References
Case No. ADJ2649808 (STK 0209059)
Regular
May 16, 2017

CHRIS ARSENAULT vs. CARPET MASTER, MID-CENTURY INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the defendant's petition for reconsideration, upholding a finding of 100% permanent disability for an admitted back injury. The defendant argued the vocational expert's report was flawed and unsubstantiated, but the Board affirmed the WCJ's finding of credibility. The WCJ's decision correctly applied *Dahl* to find the applicant not amenable to vocational rehabilitation due to his functional limitations, pain, and depression. The Board also rejected the defendant's attempt to admit newly discovered evidence, as it did not meet the criteria for such admission.

Vocational evaluatorpermanent disabilityreconsiderationindustrial injuryvocational reportingmedical evidencesubjective evidencedepressionvocational rehabilitationchronic pain
References
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