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

Case No. ADJ9248422, ADJ9247183
Regular
Sep 12, 2019

VERONICA VASQUEZ vs. EAST COAST FOODS, dba ROSCOE'S HOUSE OF CHICKEN AND WAFFLES, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case concerns the validity of liens filed by medical providers and interpreters. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and rescinded a prior order, finding that the declarations supporting the liens were invalid because the declarant, Ilona Kulikova, lacked personal knowledge. The Board dismissed one lien completely due to the lack of any other valid declaration. However, for two other liens, the Board remanded the case to allow the trial judge to reconsider additional declarations that were not initially evaluated.

Labor Code section 4903.8DeclarationPersonal knowledgeCompetent to testifyElectronic signatureLien claimantsAmended declarationsDue processJoint Findings and OrderPetition for Reconsideration
References
Case No. ADJ8717351
Regular
Jul 11, 2018

LUIS FUERTE vs. SLSA ENTERPRISES, EVEREST NATIONAL INSURANCE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board rescinded the original Findings and Order, returning the case to the trial level for further proceedings. The Board found the prior decision erred by addressing issues not properly raised at trial, specifically the reasonableness and necessity of medical treatment, and by prematurely excluding evidence based on technical filing deficiencies. The Board also clarified that while declarations under Labor Code section 4903.8 require a competent declarant, the burden to prove incompetency rests with the challenging party.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardLien claimantsFindings and OrderLabor Code Section 4903.8Electronic Adjudication Management SystemPre-trial conference statementThreshold issuesAdmissibility of evidenceRegulation 10629Regulation 10770.1
References
Case No. ADJ8390531
Regular
Feb 21, 2018

SARA RUSH vs. PROCARE MOBILE RESPONSE, EVEREST NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY, administered by SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

This case concerns a medical treatment lien disallowance for non-compliance with Labor Code § 4903.8(d), which requires a declaration from a competent person attesting to services rendered and accurate billing. The Appeals Board rescinded the initial decision, finding that the lien claimant had substantially complied with the statute. The Board held that an electronic "S" signature was sufficient and that the billing clerk, Jennifer Zambrana, was competent to make the declaration given the circumstantial evidence of treatment. Consequently, the lien was not disallowed, and the case was returned for further proceedings.

WCABreconsiderationlien claimantdeclarationsection 4903.8(d)billing statementcostssanctionsJennifer Zambranacompetent witness
References
Case No. ADJ9393235
Regular
Jan 17, 2018

MARIA FLORES TORRES vs. AMERICAN BUILDING JANITORIAL, INC.

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board rescinded a prior decision finding a medical lien invalid due to an issue with the declarant's competency. The Board found that the initial declaration under penalty of perjury, while conforming to statutory language, was deemed invalid by the trial judge solely because the declarant was not an employee of the lien claimant. However, the Board determined the record lacked sufficient evidence to establish the declarant's incompetence and that the defendant did not adequately demonstrate their efforts to present this witness at trial. Therefore, the case is remanded for further proceedings to address the admissibility of an amended declaration and to properly litigate the declarant's competency and its impact on the lien's validity.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDRECONSIDERATIONLIEN CLAIMANTLABOR CODE SECTION 4903.8DECLARATION UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURYSTATUTE OF LIMITATIONSADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGECOMPROMISE AND RELEASECOMPLIANCECOMPETENT TO TESTIFY
References
Case No. ADJ10344350; ADJ10344309
Regular
Sep 29, 2025

JUAN SALAZAR vs. MAYWOOD PLAZA MARKET, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration of a prior decision by a workers' compensation administrative law judge (WCJ) concerning lien claimants Industrial Healthcare PMG, Complete Interpreting, and Peralta Hills-Mission Valley Imaging. The WCJ had dismissed their liens, finding their declarations under Labor Code section 4903.8(d) invalid. The WCAB, however, found that the declarant, Ilona Kulikova, possessed sufficient personal knowledge and access to information to competently testify regarding the services provided and billing accuracy. Consequently, the WCAB rescinded the WCJ's Findings and Orders and substituted new findings declaring the lien claimants' original section 4903.8(d) declarations valid, thus remanding the matter for further proceedings.

Labor Code Section 4903.8(d)Lien claimantsDeclarationsCompetent to testifyPrima facie evidenceBurden of proofIndustrial Healthcare PMGComplete InterpretingPeralta Hills-Mission Valley ImagingIlona Kulikova
References
Case No. ADJ8396919
Regular
Jan 26, 2016

LEONEL ENCISO SANTOS vs. RCR PLUMBING MECHANICAL, ARCH INSURANCE SERVICES, GALLAGHER BASSETT SERVICES, INC.

This case involves petitions to dismiss liens based on untimely declarations required by Labor Code section 4903.8(d). The Appeals Board affirmed the trial judge's denial of dismissal, finding the statute does not mandate dismissal for pre-2013 liens filed untimely. However, the Board amended the findings to formally admit Foundation's corrected declaration and remanded for the WCJ to consider sanctions against the lien claimants for their delays.

Labor Code section 4903.8(d)Lien claimsPetition to dismissTimeliness of declarationReconsiderationFindings and OrderAmended declarationNatural personCompetent witnessPersonal knowledge
References
Case No. ADJ9063212
Regular
Feb 15, 2019

LUIS VILLAGOMEZ vs. WALMART STORES, INC.; ACE AMERICAN, administered by YORK

This Workers' Compensation Appeals Board case involved liens filed by Mesa Pharmacy and ResHealth Medical, which were deemed invalid by the WCJ under Labor Code section 4903.8(e). Lien claimants sought reconsideration, arguing the WCJ incorrectly placed the burden of proof regarding declarant competency on them. The Appeals Board rescinded the WCJ's decision and returned the case for further proceedings. The Board clarified that declarants under section 4903.8(d) must have personal knowledge of the services provided and billing accuracy. It also noted that all submitted declarations, not just one, should be considered when evaluating compliance with the statute.

Labor Code section 4903.8(e)declarant competencypersonal knowledgehearsaypenalty of perjurylien validityworkers' compensation liensassignment violationreconsiderationFindings of Fact and Order
References
Case No. ADJ1631052 (ANA 0405611)
Regular
Oct 29, 2019

LUISA ISABEL RODRIGUEZ vs. KELLY SERVICES

This case concerns Kelly Services' challenge to lien claims filed by Comprehensive Outpatient Surgery Center and Technical Surgery Support. Kelly Services argued that the lien claimants' declarations, signed by Patrick Christoff, were untimely and that Mr. Christoff lacked personal knowledge of the services billed. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed the WCJ's findings, ruling that the timeliness issue was waived as it was not raised at trial. The Board found Mr. Christoff competent to sign the declarations, relying on his extensive experience reviewing medical reports and billing, and the fact that the underlying medical reports were also signed under penalty of perjury.

Labor Code section 4903.8(d)declarant competencypersonal knowledgelien claimantsKelly ServicesESISComprehensive Outpatient Surgery CenterTechnical Surgery SupportFindings of FactReconsideration
References
Case No. ADJ8132431
Regular
Feb 12, 2018

Nichole Delgado vs. EL TEPEYAC CAFÉ; CRMBC(SIG), AMERICAN CLAIMS MANAGEMENT

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed a prior decision finding the defendant liable for a lien claimant's photocopying services. The Board determined the lien claimant complied with statutory requirements for valid liens, including a declaration under penalty of perjury. Furthermore, the defendant failed to timely object to the billed services or their reasonableness within the 60-day period mandated by Labor Code section 4622. Consequently, the defendant is liable for the billed amount, a 10% statutory increase, and interest.

Labor Code section 4622Labor Code section 4903.8medical-legal lienphotocopy servicesdeclaration under penalty of perjuryreasonableness of chargesstatutory increaseinterestobjection periodtimely filing
References
Case No. ADJ8182087
Regular
Jan 18, 2018

Darin Day vs. CITY OF LOS ANGELES, TRISTAR

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed a prior decision allowing a medical lien by VQ Orthocare against the City of Los Angeles. The Board found VQ's lien was valid despite late filing of a required declaration, as the lien was filed before the relevant statute's effective date. Defendant's arguments regarding the timeliness and form of the declaration were rejected, with the Board noting compliance with procedural rules for electronic filing and declarations under penalty of perjury. The lien was thus permitted to proceed on its merits.

Labor Code section 4903.8(d)Declaration requirementLien validityStatute of limitationsReconsiderationFindings and OrderMedical treatment lienSB 863SB 1160Declaration of readiness
References
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