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

Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Cramer v. BASF Wyandotte Corp.

This case involves an appeal from a Workers' Compensation Board decision that found an occupationally related disease contributed to the decedent's death. The decedent had bronchitis, an occupational disease, and also aortic stenosis, which caused his death. The key issue was whether the bronchitis contributed to his death by preventing cardiac surgery that would have prolonged his life. Expert medical testimony indicated that the bronchitis made him ineligible for the necessary aortic valve replacement surgery. The appellate court found substantial evidence to support the Board's determination that the bronchitis prevented life-prolonging surgery and affirmed the Board's amended decision.

Workers' CompensationOccupational DiseaseBronchitisAortic StenosisMedical TestimonyCausationSurgical ContraindicationLife ExpectancyAppellate ReviewBoard Determination
References
5
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Sep 19, 1975

Claim of Alperin v. Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co.

The claimant, on March 12, 1971, experienced acute heart failure or insufficiency due to excessive work effort, aggravating a pre-existing heart defect caused by a damaged aortic valve. The Workers' Compensation Board determined that a subsequent operation to replace the defective aortic valve and its sequelae were causally related to this work activity. Appellants contested this finding, arguing a lack of substantial evidence. However, the record contained unequivocal medical testimony confirming that the specific work effort caused the condition to become symptomatic, necessitating the operation to alleviate symptoms. The court affirmed the Board's decision, finding a clear causal link.

Heart ConditionWork-Related InjuryCausationAortic Valve ReplacementMedical TestimonyPre-existing ConditionWorkers' Compensation AppealSurgical NecessityAggravation of Injury
References
1
Case No. VNO 0539404
Regular
Apr 03, 2008

DUANNA CARLISLE vs. COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

This case concerns a widow's claim for death benefits after her police officer husband died from a ruptured aortic aneurysm. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration to correct the weekly payment rate for death benefits. While affirming the total benefit amount and the date of injury, the Board amended the award to reflect a higher weekly payment rate of $840.00, consistent with current statutory guidelines for temporary total disability.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardDeath BenefitsRuptured Aortic AneurysmHypertensionPermanent DisabilityCumulative TraumaDate of InjuryDate of DeathLabor Code Section 4702Temporary Total Disability Indemnity
References
2
Case No. ADJ3705124 (VNO 0496493)
Regular
Jul 09, 2015

Dusty Glenn Garman vs. California Department of Corrections, California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility; Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund

The Appeals Board reversed a WCJ's decision, finding that applicant Dusty Glenn Garman had preexisting permanent disability or impairment prior to his industrial injury. This finding was based on substantial medical evidence, including deposition testimony from Dr. Markovitz and cardiac catheterization lab results, indicating significant coronary artery stenosis. Consequently, the Board determined that the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIF) is liable for benefits as the applicant met the statutory thresholds for such liability.

Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust FundPreexisting permanent disabilityRetroactive prophylactic work restrictionCoronary artery diseaseApportionmentHeart troubleLabor Code § 4751Labor Code § 3212.2Medical evidenceStenosis
References
10
Case No. ADJ1926394 (POM 0267363)
Regular
Jul 20, 2009

Francisco Costa vs. Ralph's Grocery Company

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration of a $100\%$ permanent disability award to Francisco Costa. Defendant Ralph's Grocery Company argued that $20\%$ of the disability should be apportioned to Costa's pre-existing congenital spinal stenosis, citing medical opinions. The Board found that the medical record justified apportionment but lacked sufficient detail on the basis for the physicians' opinions. Consequently, the Board rescinded the award and returned the case to the trial level for further development of the medical record regarding apportionment.

WCABRalph's Grocery CompanyFrancisco Costapermanent disabilityapportionmentcongenital spinal stenosiscauda equina syndromedecompression surgeryQMEsubstantial medical evidence
References
3
Case No. SJO 0227228
Regular
Nov 13, 2007

CURTIS CARUSI vs. MARKETSHARE, INC., ACE/USA

This case concerns the apportionment of permanent disability for an applicant with a cumulative trauma injury to his neck and upper extremities. The Agreed Medical Examiner (AME) determined that 60% of the applicant's permanent disability was due to non-industrial spinal stenosis and 40% was work-related. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration, finding the AME's opinion constituted substantial medical evidence for apportionment. The WCAB rescinded the prior award and returned the case for a new award reflecting the AME's apportionment.

WCABMarketshare Inc.Curtis CarusiACE/USAESISSJO 0227228Petition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardIndustrial cumulative traumaNeck injury
References
5
Case No. ADJ1926394
Regular
Dec 08, 2010

FRANCISCO COSTA vs. RALPH'S GROCERY COMPANY

In this workers' compensation case, the Appeals Board granted reconsideration to amend the award to include future medical treatment. However, they affirmed the judge's finding of 80% permanent disability, which included a 20% apportionment to the applicant's pre-existing congenital spinal stenosis. The applicant argued against apportionment, but the Board found that medical evidence supported the conclusion that the pre-existing condition aggravated the industrial injury and led to more severe permanent disability. The Board clarified that "lighting up" a dormant condition is no longer a bar to apportionment under current law.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationFindings and AwardPermanent DisabilityApportionmentCongenital Spinal StenosisCauda Equina SyndromeLower Back InjuryUrologic System InjuryGI Tract Injury
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Cameron v. Chalet

This case involves an appeal from a decision by the Workers’ Compensation Board. The Board had ruled that the claimant's injury sustained on April 22, 2000, had resolved, and her ongoing disability was a result of pre-existing extensive degenerative changes, scoliosis, and spinal stenosis throughout her spine. The appellate court found substantial evidence to support the Board's determination. It noted that the resolution of factual discrepancies and conflicting medical opinions falls within the Board's jurisdiction, despite some evidence potentially supporting an opposite conclusion. The decision of the Workers’ Compensation Board was affirmed.

AppealSubstantial EvidencePreexisting ConditionDegenerative ChangesScoliosisSpinal StenosisMedical OpinionsFactual DiscrepanciesCausationDisability Benefits
References
4
Case No. ADJ4225526 (GOL 0092072)
Regular
Apr 20, 2017

JESUS ARROYO vs. JOHN CRAVENS PLASTERING, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case involves Jesus Arroyo's petition for reconsideration of a Workers' Compensation Appeals Board decision. The Board denied reconsideration, adopting the reasoning of the workers' compensation administrative law judge. Medical evidence from Dr. Markovitz established that Arroyo suffered a total and permanent disability resulting from industrial injuries, including an aortic aneurysm repair and subsequent strokes. The Board found Dr. Markovitz's opinions constituted substantial medical evidence, despite conflicting defense opinions, and affirmed that all necessary medical care and permanent disability were industrially caused.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardJesus ArroyoJohn Cravens PlasteringState Compensation Insurance FundPetition for ReconsiderationAgreed Medical ExaminerGerald Markovitzechocardiogramaortic root dilationexpanding aortic aneurysm
References
0
Case No. 2025 NYSlipOp 01409 [236 AD3d 1151]
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 13, 2025

Matter of Hanson v. General Elec. Co.

Claimant Donna Hanson sought workers' compensation death benefits for her spouse, a field service technician, who died from an acute aortic dissection after collapsing at work. Initially, a Workers' Compensation Law Judge (WCLJ) established the claim, but the Workers' Compensation Board (Board) later reversed, finding a lack of causally-related medical evidence after precluding claimant's expert reports due to procedural issues. The Appellate Division, Third Department, reversed the Board's decision, citing inconsistencies and reliance on an inaccurate reading of the record regarding the preclusion of claimant's medical evidence, and remitted the matter for further proceedings.

Workers' CompensationDeath BenefitsCausal RelationshipPresumption of CompensabilityAortic DissectionHypertensionMedical EvidenceReport PreclusionAdministrative ReviewAdmissibility of Evidence
References
9
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