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. 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. 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 The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr.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. ADJ4350009 (GOL 0097400)
Regular
Apr 09, 2018

NED PATTIZ vs. MTC TRUCKING, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND, SUBSEQUENT INJURIES BENEFITS TRUST FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinding the original findings. The Board agreed with the applicant that the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) entitlement and its credit rights should be determined concurrently. The prior decision had deferred the entitlement issue pending resolution of credit amounts. The case is returned for a new final decision that addresses all pending issues comprehensively.

Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust FundSIBTFcreditCompromise and Release AgreementSocial Security disability benefitspermanent totally disabledPetition for ReconsiderationWCJAppeals Boardrescinded
References
Case No. ADJ1298520
Regular
Dec 24, 2010

CLUSEGUN AFOLAYAN (DECEASED), OLUWASEUN AFOLAYAN, et al vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA CDCR, CALIFORNIA REHABILITATION CENTER, Legally Uninsured, SCIF/STATE CONTRACTS

In this workers' compensation case, the Appeals Board reconsidered a WCJ's award of dependency benefits to three adult children of a deceased worker. The WCJ had awarded $192,000 total, based on the children being total dependents despite the widow electing CalPERS benefits which typically bar other death benefits. The Board agreed that the adult children are entitled to benefits under Labor Code section 4702, as the widow's CalPERS election does not necessarily exclude other dependents with good cause. However, the Board disagreed with the WCJ's calculation method and remanded the case for a new decision, directing the adult children to divide the difference between the maximum benefit for a widow with dependents and the benefit for a widow without dependents.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardDependency benefitsLabor Code Section 4702Adult childrenDeath benefitsLabor Code Section 4707CalPERS special death benefitGood causeTotal dependentsWidow's benefits
References
Case No. ADJ6473555, ADJ7393801
Regular
Sep 18, 2014

Frank Jones (Deceased), Araceli Jones, Mya Jaedyn Jones vs. CDCR KERN VALLEY STATE PRISON, State Compensation Insurance Fund

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed a previous award for death benefits to the minor daughter of deceased correctional officer Frank Jones. The WCJ found that the daughter, Mya Jones, was entitled to the special minor's death benefit due to "good cause," as her mother is now a sole provider facing significant financial hardship after the decedent's death. The Board agreed, citing compelling evidence of the mother's financial strain and the minor's ongoing needs. This decision overrides the defendant's contentions that the award was improper and denies credit for prior permanent disability advances.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCalPERSspecial death benefitminor dependentGuardian Ad LitemLabor Code section 4704good causeaverage weekly earningstemporary total disabilitypermanent disability indemnity
References
Case No. AHM 98231
Regular
Sep 24, 2007

MYLINH WHITMAN vs. CINGULAR WIRELESS, SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT

The Appeals Board is reconsidering whether the defendant, Cingular Wireless, is entitled to a credit for salary continuation benefits paid to the applicant. The key issue is whether these benefits were of the "same general character" as workers' compensation, which would permit integration and a credit. The case is returned to the trial level for further evidence development on this specific point, rescinding the prior award of a credit.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCreditSalary continuation planWage loss planMetropolitan Life Short Term Disability PolicyHealth and Welfare Benefits PlanSummary plan descriptionEmployer policyTaxable benefitsPermanent disability indemnity
References
Case No. ADJ15643990; ADJ13744962
Regular
Aug 27, 2025

Osama Agaiby vs. City of Culver City, Intercare

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted the defendant's Petition for Reconsideration of the Findings and Award (F&A) in two cases involving applicant Osama Agaiby. The F&A had awarded separate Labor Code section 4850 benefits for two injuries with overlapping temporary disability periods. The defendant argued that these benefits should run concurrently. The WCAB rescinded the F&As, holding that section 4850 benefits run concurrently when an applicant is on disability due to the combined effect of multiple injuries. The issues of temporary disability and section 4850 benefits were deferred, and the matters were returned to the trial level for adjustment.

Labor Code section 4850aggregate disability paymentsoverlapping temporary disabilityconcurrent benefitssalary continuationcumulative traumaspecific injurypolice officerWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for Reconsideration
References
Case No. ADJ9091836
Regular
May 09, 2018

CHRISTOPHER DOUGLAS (Deceased), AMY DOUGLAS (Surviving Spouse Guardian Ad Litem) vs. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION, CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND (Claims Administrator)

This case involves a dispute over workers' compensation death benefits for the dependents of a deceased CalFIRE engineer/paramedic. The appeals board is reconsidering a prior decision that awarded benefits but ordered coordination with CalPERS special death benefits. The central issue is whether workers' compensation death benefits should be awarded to the decedent's children, considering they already receive CalPERS benefits, and how to properly coordinate these two types of benefits. The Board rescinded the prior decision and returned the case for further proceedings, emphasizing the need for proper joinder of CalPERS and a careful consideration of coordination rules.

WCABCalFIRESCIFCalPERSDeath BenefitsSpecial Death BenefitAntrimThompsonCoordination of BenefitsGuardian Ad Litem
References
Case No. ADJ9100288
Regular
May 17, 2018

GILBERT CORTEZ (Deceased), NOHEMA CORTEZ (Surviving Spouse & Guardian Ad Litem), et al. vs. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION, Legally Uninsured, CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND (Claims Administrator)

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) rescinded a prior decision concerning death benefits for the deceased employee's children, Andres and Marisa Cortez. The WCAB remanded the case to the administrative law judge to properly join the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) and determine the entitlement to and coordination of workers' compensation death benefits with CalPERS special death benefits. The WCAB clarified that the "good cause" standard under *Antrim* applies and that CalPERS benefits may offset workers' compensation benefits to avoid duplicate payments. Further proceedings are required to consider the specific claims of dependency and the impact of CalPERS payments.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCDCRSCIFCalPERSdeath benefitsdependent childrenspecial death benefitsoffsetAntrim standardLabor Code section 4707
References
Case No. ADJ2618825 (SAC 0304473)
Regular
Nov 24, 2010

WILLIAM ROSS vs. GOLDEN STATE EQUIPMENT REPAIR, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration, rescinding a prior order that denied vocational rehabilitation benefits and a supplemental job displacement benefit. The WCAB found the applicant may have been denied due process by the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) who issued the prior order without allowing the applicant to present evidence. While the WCAB agreed the applicant is not entitled to supplemental job displacement benefits due to the injury date, the matter is returned for further proceedings on vocational rehabilitation to determine if any vested rights exist. The WCAB also noted the ALJ erred in relieving counsel without the applicant's input.

Vocational rehabilitation benefitsSupplemental job displacement benefitLabor Code section 139.5Labor Code section 4658.5Date of injuryRepeal of benefitsDue processStatus conferenceOrder relieving counselReconsideration
References
Showing 1-10 of 2,252 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