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Case Law Database

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

Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 02, 2009

People v. Andrus

Defendant appealed a judgment convicting him of attempted course of sexual conduct against a child. He argued his Miranda rights were violated, but the court found a knowing, voluntary, and intelligent waiver. The court also rejected his claim that a social worker acted as a law enforcement agent without issuing Miranda warnings, noting the interview's timing and continuous custody. Furthermore, police deception regarding a polygraph did not coerce his statement or deny due process. His challenge to his Alford plea was unpreserved, and the sentence was deemed appropriate.

Miranda rightsWaiver of rightsRight to counselPolice interrogationSocial worker interviewLaw enforcement agencyVoluntariness of confessionPolice deceptionPolygraph examinationDue process
References
12
Case No. ADJ8276917
Regular
Jun 03, 2014

MARIO GONZALEZ vs. WEST PICO FOODS, INC., and TOWER SELECT INSURANCE, administered by YORK INSURANCE SERVICES GROUP, INC.

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed a prior finding that Mario Gonzalez sustained an injury arising out of and occurring in the course of employment, rejecting the employer's post-termination defense. The Board also imposed a $950 sanction against the applicant's attorneys, Lawrence Y. Kao, Esq. and Pearlman, Borska & Wax, LLP, for misrepresenting facts and the record in their petition. The attorneys' responses failed to demonstrate good cause to avoid sanctions, as they primarily argued the merits of the injury claim rather than addressing the issues raised by the sanctions notice. The employer's insurance administrator, York Insurance Services Group, Inc., was not held responsible for the attorneys' conduct.

AOE/COEpost-termination defenseLabor Code section 3600(a)(10)petition for reconsiderationNotice of Intention to Impose SanctionsWorkers' Compensation Appeals Boardadministrative law judgefindings and ordersanctionsPearlman Borska & Wax
References
0
Case No. ADJ7863229, ADJ7863244
Regular
Dec 03, 2014

ALICIA DE RAMOS vs. 99 CENTS ONLY STORES, BROADSPIRE SERVICES

This case involves a lien claimant, California Physician Network, LLC, whose successive petition for reconsideration was dismissed as untimely, unverified, and improper procedure. The Appeals Board is also initiating a sanctions hearing, pursuant to Labor Code § 5813, against the lien claimant and its representative for allegedly disrespectful and bad faith conduct. The claimant failed to appear at a lien conference, did not properly object to a dismissal notice, and filed procedurally defective petitions. The Board has removed the proceedings to consider imposing sanctions up to $2,500.

Reconsideration petitionSuccessive petitionUnverified petitionLabor Code section 5813SanctionsCommissioner's conferenceRemovalLien claimantDisrespectful remarksBad faith actions
References
6
Case No. ADJ8721136
Regular
Dec 07, 2015

LILITH TEITELBAUM vs. KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITAL; Permissibly Self-Insured, Administered By Sedgwick CMS

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the applicant's petition for reconsideration, upholding the finding that no order precluded the defendant from deposing the qualified medical evaluator. The Board also initiated removal on its own motion to issue a notice of intention to assess sanctions against the applicant's attorney and his firm. This action stems from the attorney's verified petition containing misrepresentations of fact and intemperate language, violating WCAB rules on sanctions for frivolous or delaying tactics. Ultimately, the Board found the applicant's attorney's conduct warranted sanctions due to false statements and unprofessional conduct in pursuing reconsideration.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationQualified Medical Evaluator (QME)SanctionsLabor Code § 5813Bad Faith ActionsFrivolous TacticsMisrepresentation of FactsIntemperate LanguageWCAB Rule 10561(b)
References
0
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Matter of Kover

Attorneys Burton Citak and Donald L. Citak appealed orders that imposed sanctions and denied legal fees related to an article 81 guardianship proceeding for Eva Dworecki, an alleged incapacitated person. The attorneys were sanctioned for frivolous conduct, including making misrepresentations and false statements in court filings and arguments, and accusing the court of misconduct, despite previously consenting to the guardianship. The appellate decision, in this concurring opinion by Tom, J.P., found ample support for the Supreme Court's finding that the attorneys' conduct warranted sanctions. The matter was remanded for further proceedings to determine the appropriate costs, reduce the award to judgment, and set reasonable legal fees for the Citak firm's representation of Dr. Dworecki prior to the frivolous filings.

SanctionsAttorneysGuardianshipArticle 81Frivolous ConductAppellate ReviewProfessional MisconductLegal FeesCostsCourt Orders
References
0
Case No. ADJ4230639
Regular
Nov 05, 2010

GARY FOSTER (Deceased), MANUEL VILLARREAL vs. RPI COATING, INC., SCIF INSURED FRESNO

This case involves the imposition of $\$ 250.00$ in sanctions against defendant's counsel, Sylvia Bedrossian, and her client, SCIF. The sanctions were issued for engaging in bad faith and/or frivolous conduct by failing to provide proper evidentiary citations and attaching documents not in evidence to a petition for reconsideration. The Appeals Board found this conduct wasted its limited resources. The matter was returned to the trial level for further proceedings.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardRemovalSanctionsLabor Code section 5813Board Rule 10561Bad Faith ConductFrivolous ConductImproper CitationsUnacknowledged ExhibitsPetition for Reconsideration
References
0
Case No. ADJ3942275 (LAO 0879499) ADJ4411298 (LAO 0879500)
Regular
Jul 12, 2012

JESUS RODRIGO GUZMAN vs. CHAMPION ARROWHEAD BRASS PRODUCTS, ZENITH INSURANCE COMPANY

This case involves sanctions imposed against Erika Campos and Fred F. Hafezi, M.D., for bad faith actions and tactics. They are jointly and severally sanctioned $1,000.00 payable to the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board. Sanctionable conduct included a misdated proof of service and misstatements of fact in a petition, as detailed in the WCJ's report. Neither Campos nor Hafezi responded to the Board's notice of intent to sanction.

SanctionsLabor Code section 5813Opinion and Decision After RemovalMisstatements of factBad faith actionsWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardWCJProof of servicePetition for ReconsiderationNotice of Intention to Issue Sanctions
References
0
Case No. ADJ7730252
Regular
Jul 22, 2015

MARIA OLVERA vs. LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, SEDGWICK CMS

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board reconsidered sanctions imposed by a WCJ against applicant's attorney and representative for failing to disclose a cumulative trauma claim and proceeding to trial without a legal basis. The Board rescinded one sanction for failure to disclose, finding no legal mandate for immediate disclosure, and clarified which parties were sanctioned for proceeding to trial without basis, reducing the penalties. The Board affirmed the award of costs to the defendant for defending against these actions. One Commissioner dissented, believing the conduct was not sanctionable given the evidence presented by applicant's representatives.

WCABSanctionsCostsLabor Code 5813Rule 10561Hearing RepresentativeCumulative TraumaSpecific InjuryDue ProcessBill of Particulars
References
1
Case No. ADJ7711093
Regular
Nov 10, 2014

Fernando Sosa vs. Source One Staffing, CIGA by its Servicing Facility Patriot Risk Services, For Ullico, in liquidation

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board dismissed a lien claimant's petition for reconsideration because it was unverified. The Board also granted removal on its own motion due to the lien claimant's repeated failure to appear at lien conferences and file proper objections. This conduct, along with filing an invalid petition, suggests potential bad faith and warrants a Commissioner's Conference to determine if sanctions should be imposed. The lien claim was ultimately dismissed by the WCJ for non-appearance.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardFernando SosaSource One StaffingCIGAUllicoPetition for ReconsiderationLien ClaimantCalifornia Physician NetworkLLCDenise Mejia
References
2
Case No. ADJ361974
Regular
Feb 11, 2013

ANA VELASQUEZ vs. AMERICAN BUILDING MAINTENANCE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration of a $1,000 sanction against applicant's attorney, Peter T. Brown, and his firm. The original sanction was for violating rules regarding supervision of non-attorney employees and requiring specific written authorization for settlement documents. The WCAB found Brown's conduct, including alleged misrepresentations and failure to adequately supervise his employee's submission of a compromise and release without full disclosure, warranted an increased sanction. The WCAB is now considering imposing a sanction of up to $2,500 and has given Brown an opportunity to show cause why this increase is not warranted.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardSanctionsPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and OrderAdministrative Law JudgeCompromise and ReleaseSupervisionWritten AuthorizationCumulative TraumaGood Faith Negotiation
References
0
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