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

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 The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr.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. 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. ADJ599176 (SAC 0333692) ADJ2396484 (RDG 0122019) ADJ7950339
Regular
Mar 21, 2017

Fernando Muniz Villalpando vs. Doherty Brothers, Martin Dusters, State Compensation Insurance Fund

This case involves an applicant seeking to self-administer his Medical Set-Aside Account (MSA) after previously agreeing to third-party administration by Bridge Pointe/NuQuest. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the prior order, and returned the matter to the trial level. The Board found that the trial judge needs to review the original agreement to determine if it allows for a change of administration or if applicant has contractual rights to pursue this. Further proceedings will assess applicant's competency for self-administration and any opposition from the defendant.

Medical Set-Aside AccountMSAPetition for ReconsiderationJoint Findings and OrderMedical Set-Aside Account administrationself-administrationBridge PointeNuQuestState Compensation Insurance FundCompromise and Release Agreement
References
Case No. ADJ1643143 (SRO 0122410)
Regular
May 25, 2010

JUAN ESCUTIA vs. NICK LERAS WATER TRUCKS, et al.

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed a prior decision holding the State Compensation Insurance Fund (SCIF) liable for reimbursement to the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA). CIGA, adjusting claims for an insolvent insurer, sought reimbursement for various administrative expenses, including bill review, court reporter fees, and opposing counsel fees incurred while administering an injured worker's claim. The Board found these costs, particularly bill review expenses, were part of "incurred losses" under the California Workers' Compensation Uniform Statistical Reporting Plan and thus reimbursable. This decision establishes that CIGA can recover such administrative costs from a solvent insurer when adjusting claims for an insolvent carrier.

CIGASCIFBill ReviewIncurred LossesLoss Adjustment ExpensesInsurance Code Section 1063.1(c)(9)Labor Code Section 5500.5(e)California Workers' Compensation Uniform Statistical Reporting PlanReconsiderationFindings and Orders
References
Case No. ADJ128210 (SAL 0093437) ADJ593542 (SAL 0093436)
Regular
Apr 12, 2010

JORGE RAMIREZ vs. LINO FINATTI, JR., CIGA on behalf of RELIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY, in liquidation, administered by INTERCARE SERVICES, CLARENDON INSURANCE COMPANY, adjusted by NORTH AMERICAN RISK SERVICES

This case involves a dispute over reimbursement for workers' compensation expenses between the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA) and Clarendon Insurance Company. CIGA, covering for Reliance Insurance Company in liquidation, sought reimbursement for administrative expenses in addition to indemnity and medical costs. The arbitrator initially denied administrative expenses due to insufficient justification, but the Appeals Board granted reconsideration. The Board applied the *Ramos* decision, allowing CIGA to recover administrative costs like bill review and utilization review from Clarendon for the applicant's low back injuries.

CIGAReliance Insurance CompanyClarendon Insurance Companyadministrative expensesreimbursementbill reviewmedical managementutilization reviewsubpoenaing recordsjoint and several liability
References
Case No. ADJ8577504
Regular
Jun 23, 2015

JESUS PONCE vs. LAFAYETTE TEXTILES, CYPRESS INSURANCE COMPANY

This case concerns a lien claimant, Western Imaging Services, seeking reimbursement for photocopying expenses. The Appeals Board clarified that Western did not need to prove applicant sustained an industrial injury to recover its lien. However, Western must demonstrate that a contested claim existed when the expenses were incurred, that they were for proving or disproving that claim, and that they were reasonable and necessary. The Board rescinded the WCJ's decision and remanded the case to determine which specific expenses meet these criteria.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardLien ClaimantMedical-Legal ExpenseContested ClaimBurden of ProofIndustrial InjuryReconsiderationReasonable and Necessary ExpensesSubpoenaed RecordsPhotocopied Records
References
Case No. ADJ1868495 (VNO 0452398) ADJ4538828 (VNO 0468076)
Regular
Dec 14, 2012

JORGE HERNANDEZ vs. CRESCENT TRUCK LINES, INC., CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, RELIANCE NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY

This case concerns the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA) seeking reimbursement from the State Compensation Insurance Fund (SCIF) for costs incurred administering workers' compensation claims. The WCJ initially awarded CIGA reimbursement for benefits paid but not for associated administration expenses. The Appeals Board granted CIGA's reconsideration petition, ruling that CIGA is entitled to reimbursement for both benefits and specific claim administration expenses, including medical-legal costs. The Board amended the findings and award to reflect this, returning the matter to the trial level for further proceedings.

CIGAReliance National Insurance CompanySedgwick Claims Management ServicesState Compensation Insurance Fund (SCIF)Petition for ReconsiderationJoint Findings and Award (F&A)reimbursementassociated expensesmedical treatmentloss adjustment expense
References
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. LAO 0793824, LAO 0794341
Regular
Feb 28, 2008

HENRY NG vs. TRW, AMERICAN CASUALTY OF READING, PENNSYLVANIA, CNA, Third Party Administrators

This case concerns an applicant's workers' compensation claim for spinal and right upper extremity injuries, with disputed apportionment of permanent disability and penalties for failure to provide medical treatment. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, amending the original award to include a 15 percent attorney's fee on penalties and deferring the issue of self-procured medical expenses for further proceedings. The Board also corrected administrative headings, clarifying that apportionment must be based on causation under SB 899, aligning with the reasoning in *Gatten*.

ApportionmentSB 899CausationPermanent DisabilityMedical TreatmentPenaltiesMedical-Legal ExpenseAgreed Medical EvaluatorSelf-Procured Medical ExpensesAttorney Fee
References
Case No. ADJ1409625 (LBO 0360295) ADJ1382588 (MON 0239533)
Regular
Apr 16, 2015

MELBOURNE BARDOWELL vs. GI TRUCKING COMPANY, GALLAGHER BASSETT SERVICES, ATHENS ADMINISTRATORS

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration to clarify the applicant's date of injury for cumulative trauma. The original award found industrial injury to the neck and low back for a trailer mechanic but did not address liability division between two third-party administrators, Athens Administrators and Gallagher Bassett Services. The Board deferred the issue of the period of injurious exposure to the Workers' Compensation Judge. The matter is returned to the WCJ for further proceedings and a new decision on this specific issue.

Petition for ReconsiderationDivision of LiabilityPeriod of Injurious ExposureLabor Code sections 54125500.5Cumulative TraumaDate of InjuryTrailer MechanicPermissibly Self-InsuredThird-Party Administrator
References
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