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. ADJ383777
Regular
Apr 04, 2011

Roxanna Ortiz vs. ONE SOURCE, ESIS

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied Roxanna Ortiz's petition for reconsideration of a prior findings and order. The initial ruling determined she sustained industrial injury only to her cervical spine as a janitor, not to other body parts or any resulting temporary/permanent disability or need for further medical treatment. Ortiz argued the judge erred by favoring defense medical reports and discrediting her testimony due to minor inconsistencies in her injury description. The Board adopted the WCJ's report, emphasizing deference to credibility determinations and that admissibility of medical reports should have been challenged at trial, not on reconsideration. A dissenting opinion argued the judge overemphasized minor variations in Ortiz's account and that medical evidence did not sufficiently support denial of other injuries or further treatment.

OrtizOne SourceESISWCABFindings and OrderPetition for ReconsiderationWorkers' Compensation Administrative Law Judgeindustrial injurycervical spineright arm
References
Case No. GOL 96757
Regular
Jun 10, 2008

SA YANG LO vs. CUSTOM SENSORS & TECHNOLOGIES, INC., STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration of a prior award, upholding the application of the 2005 Permanent Disability Rating Schedule. The Board found that exceptions allowing for the 1997 Schedule did not apply, as the applicant's temporary disability indemnity extended beyond January 1, 2005, and no qualifying pre-2005 reports indicated permanent disability. Furthermore, the Board found the applicant's vocational expert's opinion regarding diminished future earning capacity unpersuasive, thus affirming the initial 9% permanent disability rating.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardSA Yang LoCustom Sensors & TechnologiesInc.State Compensation Insurance FundGOL 96757Opinion and Order Denying ReconsiderationFindings and AwardWorkers' Compensation Administrative Law JudgeWCJ
References
Case No. ADJ608889 (POM 0271021) ADJ865253 (POM 0271022)
Regular
Mar 27, 2009

BARBARA GARCIA vs. COLEN AND LEE; FREMONT EMPLOYERS INSURANCE COMPANY as administered by EMPLOYERS

The defendant seeks reconsideration of an award finding applicant sustained work-related psyche and chest pain injuries, resulting in 90% permanent disability and need for further medical treatment. Defendant claims clerical, procedural, and evidentiary errors, and inconsistencies with witness testimony. The Board granted reconsideration to review a trial transcript to ensure a just and reasoned decision.

ReconsiderationFirst Amended Findings and AwardCumulative periodPsycheInternal chest painTemporary disabilityPermanent disabilityFurther medical treatmentClerical errorsProcedural errors
References
Case No. ADJ9010662
Regular
Dec 04, 2017

ELSA UMANZOR vs. TWO CHEFS ON A INSPE, INSURANCE, administered by SEDG, CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the applicant's Petition for Reconsideration. The Board adopted the WCJ's report, correcting a typo to clarify that Dr. Shlens found no work-related injury. The Board gave significant weight to the WCJ's credibility determinations and found no substantial evidence to reject them. Therefore, the applicant's petition for reconsideration was denied.

WCABPetition for ReconsiderationDeniedWCJDr. ShlensApplicant's complaintsnot attributedrepetitive workobjective evidencecumulative trauma
References
Case No. ADJ869605
Regular
Nov 19, 2012

MILES GRAY vs. AT&T, permissibly self-insured, administered by SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

This case involves an applicant who sustained a severe right lower extremity injury, leading to multiple surgeries, significant leg length discrepancy, and fused ankle/foot, requiring constant mobility aids. The Agreed Medical Evaluator (AME) provided opinions on impairment, and vocational experts testified regarding the applicant's ability to return to work. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration of the prior award, finding substantial evidence supporting the applicant's unsuitability for rehabilitation. Defendant's supplemental reply did not alter this decision.

Agreed Medical EvaluatorVocational ExpertPetition for ReconsiderationDeniedRight Lower Extremity InjuryMultiple FracturesLeg Length DiscrepancyShoe LiftAnkle FusionGait Derangement
References
Case No. ADJ237483
Regular
Nov 13, 2012

RAYEK J. FAHOUM vs. KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITAL

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied Rayek J. Fahoum's petition for reconsideration, upholding the findings of the Workers' Compensation Judge. The Judge's report found Fahoum sustained industrial injury to his neck and low back with secondary chronic pain syndrome, awarding 41% permanent disability. This decision relied on the opinions of the Agreed Medical Examiner and Dr. Renee Rinaldi, who concluded Fahoum experienced symptom magnification and that his condition was chronic pain syndrome, not fibromyalgia as claimed by Dr. Allen Salick. The Board extended great weight to the Judge's credibility findings regarding the medical opinions.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsideration DeniedAgreed Medical ExaminerSubstantial Medical EvidenceFibromyalgiaChronic Pain SyndromeSymptom MagnificationOrthopedic InjuryLumbosacral StrainCervical Strain
References
Case No. ADJ8731635
Regular
Apr 02, 2019

Daissy Contreras vs. CRESTWOOD BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, UNION FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY

The Appeals Board granted reconsideration and rescinded the prior award, finding the medical record inadequate to determine applicant's claim of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). While some physicians noted symptoms consistent with CRPS, the Agreed Medical Examiner (AME) found no objective evidence. The Board ordered the matter returned to the trial level for further development of the medical record by appointing a pain management specialist. This new evaluation will aim to diagnose the applicant's right upper extremity condition and determine its industrial causation.

Complex Regional Pain SyndromeCRPSskin injuryrashcumulative traumaAgreed Medical ExaminerAMEskin conditionright upper extremitypain management specialist
References
Case No. ADJ12180865
Regular
Dec 01, 2022

FRANCELIA DIAZ vs. MEDTRONIC, INC., ACE AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY

The Appeals Board granted reconsideration and rescinded the WCJ's order for an additional pain management QME panel. The Board found the applicant did not demonstrate good cause for the panel, as the current orthopedic QME's reports sufficiently addressed the applicant's diagnoses, including CRPS. The Board substituted new findings acknowledging the applicant's AOE/COE injuries but denying the request for a pain management QME panel.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardMedtronicInc.Ace American Insurance CompanyAdjudication Number ADJ12180865Petition for ReconsiderationAmended Opinion on DecisionFindings of Fact and OrderInjury AOE/COEQuality Control Inspector
References
Case No. ADJ8693536
Regular
Dec 28, 2017

MARQUITA DONES vs. WEST CONTRA COSTA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied Marquita Dones' petition for reconsideration regarding an increase in permanent disability benefits. The Board adopted the Workers' Compensation Judge's report, which found no objective medical evidence supported an increase in disability beyond the original 7% award. While applicant testified to increased pain, neither the Qualified Medical Evaluator nor the treating physician could establish an increase in impairment, as required by the AMA Guides. The Board also admonished applicant's attorney for filing a non-compliant document.

WCABPetition for ReconsiderationDeniedPermanent DisabilityCumulative InjuryLeft ElbowLeft WristAwardPetition to ReopenNew and Further Disability
References
Case No. ADJ7781219
Regular
Nov 19, 2019

CHARLES SINCLAIR vs. RICHARD J. DONOVAN CORRECTIONAL FACILITY; Legally Uninsured; administered by STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND/ STATE CONTRACT SERVICES

This case involves Charles Sinclair, a Licensed Vocational Nurse, who sustained an injury to his hands, wrists, and upper extremities on December 21, 2010, resulting in complex regional pain syndrome. The WCJ found Sinclair to be 100% permanently disabled based on the opinions of treating physicians Dr. Baker and Dr. Pelton, and vocational expert Enrique Vega, despite conflicting opinions from other medical examiners. The defendants petitioned for reconsideration, arguing a lack of substantial evidence and insufficient apportionment to prior injuries. The Board denied reconsideration, upholding the WCJ's findings and adopting the WCJ's report, which found the defendant failed to meet their burden of proof regarding apportionment.

Complex Regional Pain SyndromeVocational ExpertApportionmentSubstantial EvidenceAgreed Medical ExaminerQualified Medical ExaminerPermanent DisabilitySynergistic EffectPain ManagementCredibility Determination
References
Showing 1-10 of 412 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