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

Case No. ADJ8072993
Regular
Nov 26, 2012

VIRGINIA PALACIOS vs. MAXIMUM REALTY, AMERICAN CLAIMS

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration of the applicant's earning capacity determination. The Administrative Law Judge (WCJ) found the applicant's earning capacity based on actual wages, including rent-free housing as compensation, not solely on an hourly minimum wage calculation. The WCJ emphasized that earning capacity considers various factors like age, skill, and employment opportunities, not just hours worked at minimum wage. The Board noted that minimum wage issues should be addressed in a different forum and that such adjudication could potentially lead to reopening this case within statutory timeframes.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationDeniedEarning CapacityMinimum WageApartment ManagerActual EarningsLegal Minimum WageStatutory Time FramesAdjudication
References
Case No. ADJ14244909
Regular
Apr 25, 2025

YONGQUAN HU vs. AMERICAN ALLIANCE LOGISTICS, INC., LIANG YE, UNINSURED EMPLOYERS BENEFITS TRUST FUND

Applicant Yongquan Hu and defendant Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund (UEBTF) both petitioned for reconsideration of an Amended Findings and Award. The WCJ's initial decision found an industrial injury resulting in permanent total disability and calculated average weekly earnings based on multiple employers. Applicant disputed the wage calculation method, while UEBTF identified an inadvertently omitted week of wages. The Appeals Board granted both petitions, adopting the WCJ's report and amending the decision to reflect corrected average weekly earnings of $1,462.15, leading to a temporary and permanent total disability rate of $974.77 per week.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardYongquan HuAmerican Alliance LogisticsInc.Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust FundAdjudication NumberVan Nuys District OfficeOpinion and OrderGranting Petitions for ReconsiderationDecision After Reconsideration
References
Case No. ADJ13385386
Regular
Nov 17, 2020

ABRAHAM BERNAL vs. NIAGARA BOTTLING, LLC, SAFETY NATIONAL CASUALTY COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration to amend the original decision regarding applicant Abraham Bernal's average weekly wage. The WCAB found the prior calculation of $\$1,383.39$ per week was erroneous as it diluted the applicant's earning capacity by using a lower hourly wage than his rate at the time of injury. The Board recalculated the average weekly wage based on actual hours worked, including overtime and holiday pay, at the applicant's established $\$27.00$ per hour rate. This resulted in an amended average weekly wage of $\$1,414.26$, increasing the temporary disability indemnity rate to $\$942.84$ per week.

ADJ13385386NIAGARA BOTTLING LLCSAFETY NATIONAL CASUALTY COMPANYVan Nuys District OfficePETITION FOR RECONSIDERATIONAVERAGE WEEKLY WAGESTEMPORARY DISABILITY INDEMNITYLABOR CODE § 4453(c)EARNING CAPACITYREGULAR WAGE
References
Case No. ADJ2292703 (LAO 0888546)
Regular
Jan 18, 2011

JOHNNY McLAURIN vs. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON, PERMISSIBLY SELF-INSURED

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the prior Findings and Award, and returned the case to the trial level for further proceedings. The Board found that the WCJ erred by relying on the treating physician's report without ensuring it was based on substantial evidence, as it did not review all relevant records. Additionally, the Board found that the issue of temporary disability and attorney's fees was improperly awarded without considering the applicant's wage continuation payments. The matter is remanded for the treating physician to review all evidence and for further proceedings regarding compensability and potential credit for wage continuation.

Cumulative traumaAOE/COEFindings and AwardPetition for ReconsiderationLabor Code sections 4060(c)4062.2substantial medical evidencetemporary total disabilityattorney's feeswage loss
References
Case No. SAC 0333584
Regular
Jan 14, 2008

ROGER FISHER vs. RYDER INTEGRATED SERVICES CORP.

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration, affirming that Roger Fisher is a qualified injured worker entitled to VRMA. However, the Board amended the award to calculate VRMA on a wage-loss basis, allowing credit for wages earned during subsequent employment in the mortgage business, distinguishing this case from *Gamble* where concurrent employment existed at the time of injury. Attorney fees were adjusted to 15% of the total adjusted VRMA amount due.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardVocational Rehabilitation Maintenance Allowance (VRMA)Qualified Injured Worker (QIW)Temporary Disability IndemnityWage Loss BasisCredit for WagesConcurrent EmploymentSubsequent EmploymentIndustrial InjuryTruck Driver
References
Case No. ADJ12393038
Regular
Mar 07, 2023

CRISTIAN AVILA GARCIA (Deceased) SINTIA YANETH GARCIA (Guardia Ad Litem) vs. BAYVIEW ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES INCORPORATED, GREAT DIVIDE INSURANCE COMPANY, BERKELEY ENTERTAINMENT

In this workers' compensation case, the applicant's average weekly wage (AWW) was determined based on his higher earnings during the four weeks prior to his death on a special project. The defendant sought reconsideration, arguing the AWW should have been based on his entire tenure, but the Appeals Board affirmed the original award. The Board held that AWW is calculated based on earnings "at the time of injury" to reflect earning capacity, not necessarily the entire earnings history. Therefore, the calculation using the prevailing wage during the Santa Monica project was upheld.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCristan Avila GarciaSintia Yaneth GarciaBayview Environmental Services IncorporatedGreat Divide Insurance CompanyBerkeley EntertainmentAdjudication NumberFindings and AwardAverage Weekly WageTemporary Disability Indemnity
References
Case No. ADJ1329489
Regular
Sep 06, 2011

CHAVA COHEN vs. SHERIDAN ASSISTED LIVING, INC., STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case concerns vocational consultant Judie Fogel's request for reconsideration of a prior Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) decision. The WCAB previously rescinded an order for defendants to pay Fogel $1,700.00 for "medical legal expense for issues relating to the Ogilvie case," finding her testimony deficient and thus non-recoverable costs. Fogel argued her testimony addressed more than just Ogilvie issues, including average weekly wages, and that it was not necessary for her to independently calculate wage loss. The WCAB denied reconsideration, reiterating that Fogel was retained specifically for Ogilvie issues and her testimony remained deficient, citing precedent.

Vocational consultantReconsiderationOpinion and OrderMedical legal expenseOgilvie caseWage lossAverage weekly wagesPermanent disability ratingReimbursementEn banc decisions
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. ADJ8741812
Regular
May 20, 2019

STEVEN ALFARO vs. AYERS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC., ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE GROUP

This case involves an employer, Ayers Construction Company, accused of discriminating against an employee, Steven Alfaro, for exercising his workers' compensation rights under Labor Code section 132a. The applicant alleged he was terminated shortly after requesting medical treatment, and despite a medical release, was denied reinstatement while other, less senior employees were retained. The Appeals Board affirmed the prior decision finding discrimination, determining the employer failed to provide a credible business necessity for the discharge. The employer must pay increased compensation, back wages and benefits, with adjustments for temporary disability payments received.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardLabor Code section 132adiscriminationretaliationreinstatementincreased compensationback wagesbenefitstemporary disabilitymedical treatment
References
Case No. SAC 293290
Regular
Feb 21, 2008

WILLIAM MENDOZA vs. LEE CUNEO dba THE BODY SHOP, UNINSURED EMPLOYERS FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration to address the Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund's (UEBTF) contentions. While affirming the award of retroactive vocational rehabilitation maintenance allowance (VRMA) at the delay rate, the Board amended the original order to allow the UEBTF credit for wages earned by the applicant as a property manager and for his net recovery in a third-party civil action against the uninsured employer. This credit will reduce the UEBTF's liability for the VRMA.

UEBTFVRMAdelay ratecredit for wagescivil action recoveryLabor Code section 139.5Labor Code section 4909property manager earningsthird party actionnet recovery
References
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