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

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 The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr.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. SAC 316687
Regular
Feb 28, 2008

STEVE OLSON vs. DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case involves a correctional lieutenant claiming cumulative industrial injury to his heart, hypertension, diabetes, and GERD. The original decision apportioned 80% of his permanent disability to non-industrial causes, but the Appeals Board rescinded this. The Board determined that Labor Code section 4663(e) exempts safety officers like the applicant from apportionment for presumed injuries, and the calculation of permanent disability indemnity must now follow the *Brodie/Welcher* standard.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardSAC 316687Steve OlsonDepartment of CorrectionsState Compensation Insurance FundOpinion and Decision After Reconsiderationcorrectional lieutenantcumulative industrial injuryhearthypertension
References
Case No. ADJ9320206
Regular
May 08, 2014

MIKE VILLALOBOS vs. WESTERN VILLAGE HEALTH CLUB, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case involves applicant Mike Villalobos seeking removal of a decision denying his request to change venue from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara. The WCAB denied removal, holding that Santa Barbara only has a satellite office of the Oxnard District Office, not a formal WCAB district office. The Board deferred to the DWC's administrative construction that only district offices count for venue purposes, citing practical differences in staffing and facilities. Therefore, the original venue in San Luis Obispo was upheld.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for RemovalChange of VenueDistrict OfficeSatellite OfficeAdministrative ConstructionLabor Code Section 5501.5Goleta District OfficeOxnard District OfficeSanta Barbara Satellite Office
References
Case No. ADJ8722028
Regular
Apr 04, 2014

TONYA OREPEZA ZAMORA vs. SANTA CLARA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

This case involves a correctional officer diagnosed with uterine cancer who claimed a workers' compensation industrial injury. The defendant contested her eligibility, arguing she was not a "peace officer" under Penal Code section 830.1 at the time of diagnosis. The Board denied reconsideration, finding that despite a title delay, the applicant was performing the duties and was eligible to be a deputy sheriff. Her job duties did not change, making her status as a peace officer, for the purposes of her claim, evident.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardSheriff's Correctional DeputyIndustrial InjuryUterus CancerPermanent Partial DisabilityLabor Code section 3212.1Penal Code section 830.1Peace Officer
References
Case No. ADJ8128282
Regular
Jan 23, 2014

ANGELA EGBIKUADJE vs. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATIONS, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and rescinded a prior award, returning the case for further proceedings. The defendant, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, argued that the applicant's psychiatric injury claim was preempted by the ADA and not proven under Labor Code section 3208.3. The Board found the original decision lacked proper analysis regarding predominant industrial causation and the good faith personnel action defense. Therefore, the case was remanded for further development of the record, including expert medical opinion on these issues.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardAngela EgbikuadjeCalifornia Department of Corrections and RehabilitationLegally UninsuredState Compensation Insurance FundADJ8128282Van Nuys District OfficeReconsiderationFindings and AwardIndustrial cumulative trauma injury
References
Case No. ADJ11629176
Regular
Dec 30, 2019

Isabel Aguirre vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA

This case involves an applicant correctional officer who claimed industrial injury to her back, neck, and shoulder. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration, finding the applicant is not entitled to the Labor Code section 3213.2 presumption. This presumption, for lower back impairments, explicitly applies only to specific law enforcement classifications, not correctional officers. The Board amended the prior decision to remove the presumption and ordered further medical record development.

Labor Code §3213.2PresumptionPeace OfficerCorrectional OfficerDuty BeltReconsiderationFindings and AwardWCJMedical RecordPeace Officer Classification
References
Case No. ADJ7197213
Regular
Oct 03, 2011

Robert Goslin vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS/REHABILITATION; Legally Uninsured, adjusted by STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND/ STATE CONTRACT SERVICES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and reversed a prior award, finding that the applicant, a correctional officer, was not entitled to the industrial cancer presumption under Labor Code section 3212.1. The Board determined that correctional officers are not among the specifically enumerated "peace officers" eligible for this presumption. Furthermore, the applicant failed to meet the burden of proving his cancer was industrially caused, as the medical expert found insufficient occupational exposure to link it to his employment. Consequently, the applicant's claim for injury arising out of and in the course of employment was denied.

Labor Code section 3212.1Penal Code section 830.2(d)(1)correctional officerpeace officerindustrial cancer presumptionAOE/COEPanel Qualified Medical Evaluator (PQME)nexusdisputable presumptionexpressio unius exclusio alterius
References
Case No. ADJ8789952
Regular
Nov 16, 2017

LISA STROTHER vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case involves Lisa Strother's claim for psychiatric injury due to cumulative trauma as a correctional officer. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration because the Agreed Medical Evaluator's (AME) report lacked specificity regarding the actual employment events causing the psyche injury and failed to properly apportion permanent disability. The Board found the AME's opinion on causation was not adequately detailed to determine if work events were the predominant cause. Therefore, the matter was returned to the trial level for further development of the record on these critical issues.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardLisa StrotherState of California Department of Corrections and RehabilitationLegally UninsuredState Compensation Insurance FundADJ8789952Fresno District OfficePetition for ReconsiderationFindings of Fact and AwardCorrectional Officer
References
Case No. ADJ7555409
Regular
Mar 04, 2014

JESUS ESCANUELA vs. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, legally uninsured, adjusted by STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted the defendant's Petition for Reconsideration and dismissed the applicant's untimely petition. The WCAB found that the Agreed Medical Examiner's (AME) opinion regarding psychiatric permanent disability was not supported by substantial evidence, as it did not properly address causation under the current PDRS. Consequently, the case is remanded to the trial level for further development of the record concerning psychiatric permanent disability. The WCAB deferred the issue of permanent disability and attorney's fees pending this further development.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardJesus EscanuelaCalifornia Department of Correctionslegally uninsuredState Compensation Insurance FundADJ7555409Fresno District OfficeOpinion and OrderPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and Award
References
Case No. ADJ7454499
Regular
Jun 09, 2014

BARBARA OLDEN vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case involves a petition for reconsideration filed by the defendant, State of California Department of Corrections. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted the petition because it requires further study of the factual and legal issues. The WCAB intends to conduct further proceedings to ensure a just and reasoned decision. All future communications must be submitted in writing to the WCAB Commissioners' office in San Francisco and not filed electronically or with district offices.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationBarbara OldenDepartment of CorrectionsState Compensation Insurance FundADJ7454499Salinas District OfficeStatutory time constraintsFactual and legal issuesJust and reasoned decision
References
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