CompFox Logo
AboutWorkflowFeaturesPricingCase LawInsights

Updated Daily

Case Law Database

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

Case No. ADJ9391781 ADJ9392135 ADJ9391782
Regular
Oct 14, 2018

DAWN WORTH vs. DEPARTMENT OF STATE HOSPITALS COALINGA, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Appeals Board granted the defendant's Petition for Reconsideration to address potential sanctions. The defendant contended the WCJ erred by barring defense witnesses as a discovery sanction and violating due process. The Board issued a Notice of Intention to Impose Sanctions of $500 against the defendant and its attorney, Ben McGriff, due to alleged bad-faith actions and disrespectful language toward the WCJ in the Petition. The Board is seeking objections to the sanctions before making a final decision on the merits of the petition.

WCABPetition for ReconsiderationStatute of LimitationsDiscovery SanctionDue ProcessLabor Code § 5813WCAB Rule 10561Bad Faith ActionsFrivolous TacticsUnnecessary Delay
References
0
Case No. ADJ17550375; ADJ17550386
Regular
Jul 29, 2025

JOHN RICHARD SEDANO vs. LIVE ACTION GENERAL ENGINEERING INC.; NATIONAL CASUALTY INSURANCE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration of a 'Findings of Fact, Award & Order' (F&A) issued on March 24, 2025, by a WCJ, and issued a Notice of Intent to impose sanctions. The WCJ had found that the defendant did not provide a bona fide offer of modified duty to the applicant, John Richard Sedano, and awarded temporary disability. Defendant argued that temporary disability should not have been awarded because an offer of work was made, the award lacked substantial medical evidence, and the WCJ failed to apply apportionment under Labor Code sections 4663 and 4664. The WCAB affirmed the March 24, 2025 F&A and imposed sanctions of $750.00$ jointly and severally against the employer, insurer, administrator, and their attorneys for errors in the petition for reconsideration, including failure to cite the evidentiary record, improperly attaching documents, raising new issues, and citing non-existent legal authority. The Board also found the defendant was equitably estopped from asserting the modified work offer as a bar to temporary disability, and that the modified work offer was independently invalid due to a conflict in medical restrictions.

Temporary DisabilityModified DutyBona Fide OfferApportionmentLabor Code Sections 4663Labor Code Sections 4664SanctionsEquitable EstoppelMaximum Medical ImprovementWork Restrictions
References
10
Case No. ADJ7184070
Regular
Aug 17, 2016

ARMANDO RODRIGUEZ vs. PACIFIC EXTERIORS, SEABRIGHT INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied a lien claimant's Petition for Removal and Disqualification of the WCJ. The lien claimant sought to challenge an order rescinding an earlier lien allowance and a notice of intent to sanction them for allegedly obtaining a settlement without proper authority. The Board found that the lien claimant had adequate recourse through a petition for reconsideration regarding sanctions and that the disqualification allegations were not supported by the record. The WCJ acted appropriately by rescinding the order when concerns were raised, and no bias was demonstrated.

Petition for RemovalWCJLien ClaimantSanctionsDisqualificationCompromise and ReleaseLabor CodeAdministrative Law JudgeOrder Re: LienPetition for Reconsideration
References
1
Case No. ADJ3942275 (LAO 0879499) ADJ4411298 (LAO 0879500)
Regular
Jul 12, 2012

JESUS RODRIGO GUZMAN vs. CHAMPION ARROWHEAD BRASS PRODUCTS, ZENITH INSURANCE COMPANY

This case involves sanctions imposed against Erika Campos and Fred F. Hafezi, M.D., for bad faith actions and tactics. They are jointly and severally sanctioned $1,000.00 payable to the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board. Sanctionable conduct included a misdated proof of service and misstatements of fact in a petition, as detailed in the WCJ's report. Neither Campos nor Hafezi responded to the Board's notice of intent to sanction.

SanctionsLabor Code section 5813Opinion and Decision After RemovalMisstatements of factBad faith actionsWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardWCJProof of servicePetition for ReconsiderationNotice of Intention to Issue Sanctions
References
0
Case No. ADJ2138659
Regular
Dec 05, 2011

JOSE MARIO MENJIVAR vs. FOREST RIVER, INC., SENTRY CLAIMS SERVICE

This case involves L. E. Lopez Chiropractic, Inc.'s petition for reconsideration of a WCJ's denial of its lien. The WCJ found no evidentiary support for the lien, as the claimant was treated outside the defendant's medical provider network without authorization. The Appeals Board is dismissing the petition as skeletal and frivolous, and is issuing a notice of intention to impose sanctions against both the lien claimant and its representative for wasting Board resources. The Board intends to sanction them $1,500 unless they show good cause within 15 days.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationDismissalOrder of RemovalSanctionsLabor Code Section 5813Lien ClaimantWCJMPNDate of Injury
References
0
Case No. ADJ1393892
Regular
Aug 16, 2011

JOSE NAVARRO vs. LOCKHEED

The Appeals Board denied the applicant's Petition for Reconsideration regarding an alleged March 12, 1990 injury, upholding the WCJ's finding that no industrial injury occurred. The Board granted removal on its own motion to address potential sanctions against applicant's counsel for citing medical records not present in the official record, which is a violation of WCAB rules and attorney ethics. The Board issued a Notice of Intention to impose $1,000 in sanctions jointly against the attorney and his firm, and awarded attorney's fees to the defendant. Other outstanding issues in the consolidated cases are returned to the trial level for further proceedings by the WCJ.

Petition for ReconsiderationQualified Medical EvaluatorSubstantial EvidenceCredibility DeterminationMisleading PetitionSanctionsLabor Code Section 5813WCAB RulesAttorney's DutyEvidence Outside Record
References
4
Case No. ADJ7730252
Regular
Jul 22, 2015

MARIA OLVERA vs. LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, SEDGWICK CMS

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board reconsidered sanctions imposed by a WCJ against applicant's attorney and representative for failing to disclose a cumulative trauma claim and proceeding to trial without a legal basis. The Board rescinded one sanction for failure to disclose, finding no legal mandate for immediate disclosure, and clarified which parties were sanctioned for proceeding to trial without basis, reducing the penalties. The Board affirmed the award of costs to the defendant for defending against these actions. One Commissioner dissented, believing the conduct was not sanctionable given the evidence presented by applicant's representatives.

WCABSanctionsCostsLabor Code 5813Rule 10561Hearing RepresentativeCumulative TraumaSpecific InjuryDue ProcessBill of Particulars
References
1
Case No. ADJ4406096 (LAO 0784412)
Regular

JOSE MORFIN vs. WHITE MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER

Defendant sought removal from a WCJ's order stipulating to two Agreed Medical Evaluators (AMEs), alleging the WCJ "forced" the agreement. Applicant's attorney and the WCJ countered that defense counsel had agreed to and proposed the AMEs, with the WCJ merely documenting the stipulation. The Appeals Board denied removal as defendant showed no prejudice, but initiated its own removal to address the attorney's alleged false statements and vexatious tactics. Consequently, the Board intends to impose sanctions of up to $2,500 on the defendant and its attorneys for filing a frivolous petition containing misrepresentations.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for RemovalAgreed Medical EvaluatorsWCJSanctionsBad Faith TacticsFrivolousUnnecessary DelayStipulationMisrepresentation of Facts
References
1
Case No. ADJ7998608
Regular
Apr 27, 2018

BEATRIZ MORENO vs. RTJ HOME SWEET HOME, INC., a California Corporation, ROSALINDA GALO, TORINO JAVIER, UNINSURED EMPLOYERS BENEFITS TRUST FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied a Petition for Removal seeking disqualification of the judge, clarifying that prior trial testimony can be used for impeachment in a new trial. The Board also rescinded the WCJ's order prohibiting such references. Defense counsel Mike Pincher was sanctioned $800 for abusive language towards the WCJ, as his conduct in pleadings and objections was deemed disrespectful and unprofessional. The Board found Pincher's objections lacked merit and compounded his misconduct by making further disrespectful accusations against the WCJ.

RemovalSanctionsAbusive LanguagePre-Trial Conference StatementImpeachment PurposesWCJPetition for RemovalReconsiderationDisqualificationLabor Code section 5813
References
4
Case No. ADJ3711106 (MON 0347573) ADJ2131962 (MON 0350490)
Regular
Sep 16, 2010

ELIZABETH JUANILLO NAVARRO vs. JACK IN THE BOX, GALLAGHER BASSETT, ACE AMERICAN INSURANCE

This Workers' Compensation Appeals Board case concerns a lien claimant, Arthur Malkin, D.C., and his representative, Lee Toney, who are challenging a Notice of Intention to Impose Sanctions. The lien claimant contends he was misadvised and did not receive a necessary report from the Workers' Compensation Judge (WCJ). The Board has provided the missing report and granted an additional 10 days for the lien claimant to file further objections to the $250 sanction. Failure to show good cause within this extended period will result in the imposition of sanctions under Labor Code section 5813.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardNotice of Intention to Impose SanctionsLien claimantArthur Malkin D.C.Lee ToneyPetition for RemovalWCJ Report and RecommendationPetition for ReconsiderationLabor Code Section 5813Sanctions
References
0
Showing 1-10 of 6,904 results

Ready to streamline your practice?

Apply these legal strategies instantly. CompFox helps you find decisions, analyze reports, and draft pleadings in minutes.

CompFox Logo

The AI standard for workers' compensation professionals. Faster research, deeper analysis, better outcomes.

Product

  • Platform
  • Workflow
  • Features
  • Pricing

Solutions

  • Defense Firms
  • Applicants' Attorneys
  • Insurance carriers
  • Medical Providers

Company

  • About
  • Insights
  • Case Law

Legal

  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Trust
  • Cookies
  • Subscription

© 2026 CompFox Inc. All rights reserved.

Systems Operational