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

Case No. ADJ3133261 (VNO 0400017)
Regular
Aug 17, 2010

FELIPE TOLENTINO vs. CONCO CEMENT, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, XCHANGING INC., FREMONT COMPENSATION

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) dismissed the lien claimant's petition for reconsideration as premature. The WCAB granted the defendant's petition for reconsideration regarding the temporary disability overpayment issue, deferring it for further proceedings. The Board affirmed the WCJ's findings on injury causation and permanent disability but amended the decision to clarify the overpayment issue. Finally, the WCAB issued a notice of intention to sanction defendant's counsel for attaching and citing unadmitted evidence.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardFELIPE TOLENTINOCONCO CEMENTCALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATIONXCHANGING INC.FREMONT COMPENSATIONliquidationADJ3133261VNO 0400017OPINION AND ORDERS DISMISSING PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION AND GRANTING PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION
References
Case No. ADJ6905239
Regular
Oct 07, 2025

ROBERT GARRISON vs. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES, SEDGWICK CMS

The applicant filed a petition seeking to disqualify a Workers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge (WCJ) due to alleged bias. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) reviewed the petition, along with the WCJ's Report and Recommendation. The Board determined that the petition did not establish valid grounds for disqualification under Labor Code section 5311 and Code of Civil Procedure section 641, citing that expressions of opinion in official duties or erroneous rulings do not constitute bias. Consequently, the WCAB denied the applicant's petition for disqualification.

Petition for DisqualificationWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardWCJ BiasLabor Code 5311Code of Civil Procedure 641Unqualified OpinionState of Mind Evincing EnmityWCAB Rule 10960Affidavit or DeclarationTimely Filing
References
Case No. ADJ7981413; ADJ2876358
Regular
Jun 03, 2025

LORI WILLIAMS vs. WEBCOR BUILDERS, ZURICH NORTH AMERICA

Applicant Lori Williams filed a petition to disqualify WCJ Elizabeth Dehn, alleging bias due to inexperience, ignored medical treatment requests, and lack of penalties. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) considered the petition and the WCJ's report. The WCAB, adopting the WCJ's report, denied the petition, citing that the petition lacked detailed facts under penalty of perjury as required by WCAB Rule 10960 and failed to establish grounds for disqualification under Labor Code section 5311 and Code of Civil Procedure section 641(f) and (g). The WCJ stated that no rulings were made on medical treatment or penalties during the status conference, and denied any bias.

Petition for DisqualificationWCJ DisqualificationLabor Code 5311Code of Civil Procedure 641BiasEnmityUnqualified OpinionAffidavitsDeclaration Under Penalty of PerjuryVerified Allegations
References
Case No. ADJ13431115
Regular
Oct 21, 2025

GEORGE AUSTIN vs. BALANCE STAFFING, INC.; XL INSURANCE, administered by GALLAGHER BASSETT

Applicant sought disqualification of the workers' compensation administrative law judge (WCJ) based on allegations of general bias. The Appeals Board reviewed the Petition for Disqualification and the WCJ's Report and Recommendation. Based on their review, the Board denied the petition, concluding that the allegations did not meet the grounds for disqualification. The applicant was also admonished about the potential for vexatious litigant proceedings if their conduct persists.

Petition for DisqualificationWCJ BiasLabor Code 5311Code of Civil Procedure 641Unqualified OpinionEnmity or BiasWCAB Rule 10960Affidavit or DeclarationTimely FilingJudicial Bias
References
Case No. ADJ13752411
Regular
Oct 10, 2025

Cesar Cruz vs. United Parcel Service, Inc.; Liberty Mutual

Cesar Cruz, the applicant, sought to disqualify a Workers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge (WCJ) based on allegations of general bias. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) reviewed the applicant's petition and the WCJ's Report and Recommendation, which advised against disqualification. Citing various Labor Code and Code of Civil Procedure sections, as well as WCAB rules and case precedents, the Board determined that the applicant's allegations lacked sufficient factual detail and did not demonstrate a fixed bias or an unqualified opinion from the WCJ. Consequently, the WCAB denied the Petition for Disqualification and admonished the applicant about the possibility of being declared a vexatious litigant if similar conduct persists.

Petition for DisqualificationWCJ BiasLabor Code 5311Code of Civil Procedure 641Unqualified OpinionEnmityBiasWCAB Rule 10960AffidavitDeclaration
References
Case No. ADJ485759 (VNO 0432097), ADJ1649980 (VNO 0418744), ADJ4677394 (VNO 0489134), ADJ2693882 (VNO 0489135)
Regular
May 09, 2012

WALTER CRABTREE vs. M.R. AUTOMOTIVE, CIGA, Administered by INTERCARE INSURANCE SERVICES, INC., for HIH AMERICA COMPENSATION in Liquidation

This case involves a petition for disqualification of a Workers' Compensation Judge (WCJ) filed by attorney M. Francesca Hannan. Hannan alleged that WCJ Edelberg, along with two other WCJs, conspired to penalize her for delays caused by her medical condition. The Appeals Board denied the petition, finding Hannan's allegations lacked specific facts and were untimely filed. Hannan failed to provide sufficient evidence, including required witness declarations, to support her claims of bias.

WCABPetition for disqualificationWCJLien claimantM.R. AutomotiveCIGAHannanWestlake SpineImperial Lien SolutionsDisqualification of judge
References
Case No. ADJ13220428; ADJ11736712
Regular
Sep 24, 2025

MATTHEW BAILEY vs. HOTLINE ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR INC.

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) denied Matthew Bailey's petition to disqualify the administrative law judge (WCJ). The petition alleged the WCJ was considering sanctions for the applicant's attorney's trial absence due to a calendar conflict and had advised accepting a settlement. The WCAB found the allegations lacked specific facts and did not demonstrate bias or an unqualified opinion on the merits, consistent with legal standards for disqualification. The applicant's attorney was admonished for failing to provide adequate facts and for not promptly notifying the court of calendar conflicts.

Petition for DisqualificationWCJCalendar ConflictSettlement OfferLabor Code Section 5311Code of Civil Procedure Section 641BiasEnmityAffidavitDeclaration
References
Case No. ADJ8740864, ADJ8764475, ADJ8960944
Regular
Oct 16, 2025

KATHY BRANDOW vs. LAW OFFICES OF WAYNE SINGER, THE HARTFORD

Applicant Kathy Brandow sought to disqualify a workers' compensation administrative law judge (WCJ), alleging bias and conflict of interest. The defendants, Law Offices of Wayne Singer and The Hartford, responded, and the WCJ filed a report recommending denial of the petition. After reviewing all submissions, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the petition for disqualification, finding no grounds for bias or prejudice. The Board further cautioned the applicant against repeatedly filing unmeritorious motions, warning that such conduct could lead to vexatious litigant proceedings.

WCABPetition for DisqualificationWCJ biasconflict of interestLabor Code 5311Code of Civil Procedure 641unqualified opinionenmitybiasWCAB Rule 10960
References
Case No. ADJ15605011 ADJ16563992
Regular
Sep 02, 2025

ATEFA SAMADI vs. AMAZON

The applicant, Atefa Samadi, filed a Petition for Disqualification against the WCJ following an expedited hearing. The Appeals Board reviewed the petition and the WCJ's Report and Recommendation. The Board adopted the WCJ's report and denied the petition on the merits, citing Labor Code section 5311 and Code of Civil Procedure section 641, which govern the grounds for disqualification. The WCAB found that the petition did not present sufficient facts to establish disqualification, and a judge's expressions of opinion or erroneous rulings in the discharge of official duties are not evidence of bias. The WCJ's report detailed past hearings where the applicant exhibited disruptive behavior and the WCJ's attempts to ensure due process while managing complex issues.

Petition for DisqualificationLabor Code section 5311Code of Civil Procedure section 641WCJ biasunqualified opinionenmitybiasWCAB Rule 10960affidavitdeclaration
References
Case No. ADJ12674446
Regular
Jul 25, 2025

MICHAEL KREZA, SHANNA KREZA vs. CITY OF COSTA MESA FIRE DEPARTMENT, ADMINSURE

Applicant Shanna Kreza, guardian ad Litem for deceased Michael Kreza, sought reconsideration or, alternatively, removal and disqualification of a Workers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge (WCJ) after the WCJ issued an Order Suspending Action. The WCJ's order questioned the requested attorney's fees as excessive, which the applicant argued created an appearance of bias. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board dismissed the petition for reconsideration, deeming the WCJ's order interlocutory. However, the Board granted the petitions for removal and disqualification, finding an appearance of bias by the WCJ due to unqualified opinions on attorney's fees. Consequently, the WCJ was disqualified, their May 12, 2025 Order was rescinded, and the case was returned for reassignment to a new WCJ.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardFirefighterDeath ClaimAttorney FeesExcessive FeesPetition for ReconsiderationPetition for RemovalPetition for DisqualificationWCJ BiasOrder Suspending Action
References
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