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

Case No. ADJ14726665
Regular
Oct 17, 2025

BRAD PEIRCE, SHERRY HAYES-PEIRCE vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Appeals Board granted the defendant's Petition for Reconsideration of a WCJ's decision that found a death benefits claim for Brad Peirce was not barred by the statute of limitations. The case involves a deceased applicant, Brad Peirce, and his claimant Sherry Hayes-Peirce, against the State of California, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and State Compensation Insurance Fund. The Board deferred a final decision to allow further review of the factual and legal issues, particularly concerning Labor Code sections 5406(b) and 5412, and encouraged voluntary mediation. The medical evidence presented by Dr. Jonathan Ng, an Agreed Medical Evaluator, played a significant role in assessing the industrial conditions contributing to Mr. Peirce's death.

death benefitsstatute of limitationsLabor Code section 5406(b)date of injuryLabor Code section 5412cumulative traumapermanent disabilityAgreed Medical Evaluatorhypertensive cardiac diseasecoronary atherosclerosis
References
Case No. ADJ7941925 (VNO 0120392) ADJ2139821 (VNO 0472608)
Regular
Mar 25, 2013

KIM A. ALLEN vs. CITY OF PASADENA

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the WCJ's decision, and returned the case to the trial level. The defendant argued that the WCJ erred in finding industrial causation for the applicant's coronary artery disease, citing res judicata and the issue not being properly raised. However, the Board found no substantial medical evidence supported the finding of industrial injury for the current condition, necessitating further proceedings. The applicant had prior stipulated awards for heart conditions, but the coronary artery disease was alleged as a new problem.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCity of PasadenaPermissibly Self-InsuredFindings of FactInjury AOE/COECoronary Artery DiseaseCardiovascular SystemFirefighterCumulative PeriodRes Judicata
References
Case No. ADJ663546
Regular
Oct 01, 2009

Sudha Rajender vs. TOBIN LUCKS, MALMQUIST, FIELDS & CAMASTRA

The WCJ found insufficient evidence of significant stress to support a conclusion that work stress contributed to applicant's coronary heart disease. The Board affirmed the WCJ's determination and denied the petition for reconsideration.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardSudha RajenderTobin LucksMalmquist Fields Camastracumulative trauma injurymyocardial infarctionQualified Medical EvaluatorDr. Gerald Bessespetition for reconsiderationindustrial causation
References
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
Case No. ADJ1576347 (FRE 0235267) ADJ8047239
Regular
Sep 12, 2013

MICHAEL MANFREDI vs. CITY OF FRESNO, AMERICAN ALL-RISK LOSS ADMINISTRATORS

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied Michael Manfredi's petition for reconsideration. Manfredi, a police officer, sought to establish two separate cumulative trauma injuries for his coronary artery disease and hypertension, rather than the single injury found by the WCJ. The Board affirmed the WCJ's finding that the continuous need for medical treatment between periods of exposure constituted a single compensable injury, citing *Western Growers*. Therefore, the original award of 20% permanent disability stands.

Cumulative traumacoronary artery diseasehypertensionpermanent disabilityreconsiderationJoint Findings of Fact and AwardWCJ ReportWestern Growers v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Board (Austin)separate injuriessingle injury
References
Case No. ADJ10763960
Regular
May 20, 2019

DENNIS ROMERO vs. COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO

This case involves a workers' compensation appeal where the defendant, County of San Diego, sought reconsideration of an award granting the applicant, Dennis Romero, permanent disability. The defendant argued that the administrative law judge improperly overlapped factors of disability when assessing the applicant's $94\%$ permanent disability rating. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration, adopting the judge's report which found that the qualified medical evaluator considered factors beyond shortness of breath, such as left ventricular hypertrophy and lightheadedness, when determining impairments for hypertensive and coronary heart disease. The Board also cited legal precedent that the multiple disabilities rating schedule accounts for any overlap.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings Award and OrderDeputy SheriffIndustrial InjuryHeart InjuryHypertensionPermanent DisabilityHypertensive Heart DiseaseCoronary Heart Disease
References
Case No. ADJ6776516
Regular
May 30, 2017

FRANCIS HARGREAVES vs. SOUTHWEST AIRLINES, ACE USA INSURANCE CO.

This case involves an applicant seeking workers' compensation benefits for injuries sustained on the job, including to his back, left shoulder, left wrist, and psyche, as well as complex regional pain syndrome, coronary artery disease, and a sleep disorder. The defendant sought reconsideration of the initial award, arguing that the medical evidence did not support the $90\%$ permanent disability finding. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, affirming the findings of injury and treatment for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome but reducing the permanent disability to $88\%$ by excluding the sleep disorder impairment due to insufficient objective evidence. The applicant's permanent disability payments were recalculated and ordered to commence from January 21, 2011.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardFrancis HargreavesSouthwest AirlinesACE USA Insurance Co.Sedgwick CMSADJ6776516Opinion and Order Granting Petition for ReconsiderationFindings Award and OrderAOE/COEback injury
References
Case No. ADJ4702691 (VNO 0458547) ADJ8091654 ADJ1958137
Regular
Feb 21, 2014

MICHAEL REID vs. LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, permissibly self-insured, administered by SEDGWICK CMS

In this workers' compensation case, the Appeals Board reconsidered an administrative law judge's decision regarding three consolidated claims. The Board found substantial evidence that a workplace incident in 2001 contributed to the applicant's leg amputation, necessitating further medical treatment. However, the Board rescinded findings on other claims and issues, including permanent disability and apportionment, due to deficiencies in the medical evidence. The case is remanded for reassignment to a new judge for further development of the medical record.

ReconsiderationAgreed Medical Evaluator (AME)Cumulative traumaSpecific injuryIndustrial injuryNonindustrialSubstantial medical evidenceRight lower extremityAmputationPeripheral vascular disease
References
Case No. ADJ8674800 ADJ8674808 ADJ8674815
Regular
Jul 10, 2015

SHIMO WANG vs. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board rescinded the prior finding that applicant did not suffer a heart injury arising out of and in the course of employment. The Board found the cardiologist's report insubstantial and remanded for further proceedings to develop the record on industrial causation. It clarified that the "good faith personnel action" defense applies to psychiatric injuries, not directly to physical injuries like heart conditions, unless the physical injury is a direct and sole consequence of a non-compensable psychiatric injury.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardShimo WangSouthern California EdisonAOE/COEheart attackcoronary syndromesQME cardiologistQME psychiatristadjustment disordergood faith personnel action
References
Case No. ADJ7026523; ADJ7026470
Regular
Oct 26, 2011

Nancy Parker vs. FOLSOM ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY, HARTFORD FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY

This case involves Nancy Parker's claims of work-related heart injury stemming from exposure to an aerosol cleaner and emotional distress from a co-worker. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration of the WCJ's findings. The WCJ found that the alleged exposure to the cleaning product likely occurred weeks before the claimed injury date, and the applicant's description of her interaction with the co-worker was significantly inaccurate. Consequently, the WCJ concluded the applicant did not sustain industrial injuries as alleged.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationWCJGarza v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.Folsom OrthopedicsHartford Fire Insurance CompanyADJ7026523ADJ7026470cumulative traumaSprayway
References
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