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Case Law Database

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

Case No. ADJ723750 (LAO 0809604)
Regular
Oct 17, 2008

SHEMEL BABAKHANI vs. ELINA NAZARIAN dba JAY AUTO REPAIR; WILLFULLY UNINSURED

This case involves an applicant's appeal regarding permanent disability and a typographical error, alongside the Uninsured Employers Benefits Fund's (UEF) appeal challenging the admission of an expert's report and the disability rating. The Appeals Board granted the applicant's reconsideration to correct a clerical error in the permanent and stationary date, otherwise affirming the original decision. The UEF's petition for reconsideration was denied, with the Board adopting the WCJ's reasoning.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardUninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fundindustrial injuryright eye injurypsyche injuryauto mechanictemporary disability benefitspermanent disability ratingpermanent and stationary daterating expert
References
Case No. ADJ4704248 (SJO 0269173)
Regular
Feb 09, 2012

MATTHEW WILL (Deceased), DIANA WILL (Widow) vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case concerns whether the deceased firefighter Matthew Will's minor children are entitled to continuation benefits beyond the standard death benefit. The defendant argued that continuation benefits under Labor Code section 4703.5 are only available when there is no surviving totally dependent parent, and since the widow qualifies, the children are not eligible. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed the original award, holding that the amendment to section 4703.5 intended to augment benefits rather than restrict them. They found the reference to section 3501 was to clarify which children qualify, not to preclude benefits when a parent survives.

WCABMatthew WillDiana WillDepartment of Forestry and Fire ProtectionLegally UninsuredState Compensation Insurance FundReconsiderationFindings Award and OrderDeath BenefitsLabor Code section 4702
References
Case No. ADJ4646082 (OAK 0341803)
Regular
Jul 22, 2016

WILLIAM MATEO vs. B&C TRANSIT CONSULTANTS, INC.

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration to increase the applicant's award by 10% under Labor Code section 4554 due to the employer's willful failure to secure workers' compensation insurance. The Board found that the employer failed to meet its burden of proving its uninsured status was not willful, despite stipulations of uninsured status. The applicant's attorney's fees were also increased to include 15% of the penalty award.

Labor Code section 4554Willful failure to secure compensationPrima facie evidence of willfulnessIncreased compensationUninsured employers fundPetition for reconsiderationFindings of Fact and AwardDecision after reconsiderationTemporary disability indemnityPermanent disability indemnity
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. ADJ1439784 (LBO 0356898)
Regular
Apr 22, 2010

JAVIER HERNANDEZ (FLORES) vs. LOS ANGELES DRUM & BARRELL, INC., LAWRENCE BRADLEY KAPLAN, SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDER, UNINSURED EMPLOYERS BENEFIT TRUST FUND

This case involves a workers' compensation claim for a truck driver injured on March 14, 2003, resulting in a 47% permanent disability award. The employer, Los Angeles Drum & Barrell, Inc., an uninsured entity, sought reconsideration, arguing improper joinder due to lack of service. The applicant also sought reconsideration to clarify that the employer should only receive credit for permanent disability advances, not "other benefits." The Board dismissed the employer's petition for failure to serve the applicant and granted the applicant's petition to amend the award. The final order clarifies that the employer is entitled to credit only for specified permanent disability advances.

WCABReconsiderationAmended Findings and AwardTruck DriverWillfully UninsuredRight Shoulder InjuryNeck InjuryPermanent DisabilityTemporary Disability OverpaymentPermanent Disability Advance
References
Case No. ADJ387954 (OXN 0145858) ADJ2973719 (OXN 0145147)
Regular
Oct 27, 2017

FRANCISCO PRIETO vs. O.C. CONTRACTING, INC., AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC., UNINSURED EMPLOYERS BENEFITS TRUST FUND

This case concerns a Petition for Reimbursement filed by Granite State Insurance Company against the Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund (UEBTF). Granite State mistakenly paid workers' compensation benefits to an employee injured while working for an uninsured employer. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) rescinded a prior order granting reimbursement, holding that UEBTF is not statutorily liable to reimburse insurance carriers for erroneous payments. The WCAB emphasized that UEBTF's purpose is to provide benefits to injured workers of uninsured employers, not to indemnify insurers. A dissenting opinion argued for amending the order to allow reimbursement to Granite State through applicant from funds UEBTF owes the applicant.

Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust FundGranite State Insurance CompanyPetition for ReimbursementLabor Code sections 37153716mistaken paymentillegally uninsured employerLabor Code section 4909creditdirect reimbursement
References
Case No. ADJ8556609
Regular
Jul 01, 2018

LUIS ROBLES vs. THE ESTATE OF VICKY BLEAZARD, dba BLEAZARD COMPANY, UNINSURED EMPLOYERS BENEFITS TRUST FUND

The WCAB granted the applicant's petition for removal, reversing the WCJ's decision that denied joinder of the employer's estate and the Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund (UEBTF). The Board clarified that Labor Code § 5306 permits workers' compensation claims against a deceased uninsured employer's estate, irrespective of probate presentation. Furthermore, the Board found UEBTF properly joined due to the Estate's general appearance and service of a special notice of lawsuit. Consequently, the case is returned for further proceedings with both the Estate and UEBTF joined as defendants.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for RemovalEstate of Vicky BleazardUninsured Employers Benefits Trust FundLabor Code § 3715Labor Code § 5306general appearancespecial notice of lawsuitprobate courtstatute of limitations
References
Case No. ADJ13228350
Regular
Jul 14, 2025

Paul Janikowski vs. Tesla Motors, Inc.

Applicant Paul Janikowski, a production associate at Tesla Motors, Inc., suffered severe leg and ankle injuries in 2019 due to a machine malfunction involving a conveyor and skids. He alleged serious and willful misconduct by Tesla, arguing that the company failed to provide adequate safety protocols and reduced the job from a two-person task to a one-person task, forcing him to cross an energized conveyor. Despite defendant's arguments that safety protocols were in place and the operation met industry standards, the Workers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge (WCJ) found that the applicant met his burden of proof. The Appeals Board denied Tesla's petition for reconsideration, affirming the WCJ's finding of serious and willful misconduct by the employer.

Serious and willful misconductLabor Code section 4553Petition for ReconsiderationFindings Order and AwardWCJCal OSHAMercer-FraserJohns-ManvilleHawaiian PineappleDowden
References
Case No. ADJ284423
Regular
Jun 24, 2011

MANUEL CASTILLO vs. DAVID INY, UNINSURED EMPLOYERS BENEFITS TRUST FUND, LANDMARK VIEW, INC., STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board dismissed petitions for reconsideration from SCIF and the applicant after an amended award corrected errors. The applicant sustained injuries, including to his right and left lower extremities and psyche, from an uninsured employer. The Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund's petition for reconsideration was denied, upholding the finding of permanent disability and temporary total disability indemnity. The Board adopted the WCJ's report, denying UEF's claims that the AME's opinions were not substantial evidence and that the rating methods were improperly applied.

Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust FundIllegally UninsuredFindings and AwardPetition for ReconsiderationAmended Findings and AwardTemporary Total Disability IndemnityPermanent DisabilityAmerican Medical Association GuidesSchedule for Rating Permanent DisabilityAdministrative Law Judge
References
Case No. ADJ10679914
Regular
Mar 05, 2018

Juan Torres vs. Ganalix Plumbing Repair, Uninsured Employers Benefit Trust Fund

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and reversed the administrative law judge's decision, finding that applicant Juan Torres sustained a back injury arising out of and occurring during the course of employment with Ganalix Plumbing Repair. The Board disagreed with the judge's finding of no injury based solely on applicant's credibility, noting that three defense witnesses corroborated an event occurred, and medical records documented back pain shortly after the fall. The Board also acknowledged applicant's delay in reporting and the employer's lack of workers' compensation insurance, but ultimately found sufficient evidence for a compensable back injury.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDJuan TorresGANALIX PLUMBING REPAIRUNINSURED EMPLOYERS BENEFIT TRUST FUNDFindings and OrderPetition for Reconsiderationadministrative law judgeWCJinjury arising out of and occurring during the course of employmentLabor Code section 5402(b)
References
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