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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 The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr.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. ADJ9198868
Regular
Aug 19, 2014

CURTIS GREEN vs. JBS USA, INC., AMRICAN ZURICH INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied Curtis Green's Petition for Reconsideration. Green claimed injury from a fall during an interview for a Human Resource Generalist position with JBS USA, Inc. The Board affirmed the WCJ's finding that Green was not an employee at the time of the interview, as no employment contract or relationship existed. Therefore, his injury did not arise out of and occur in the course of employment, and he was awarded nothing.

WCABPetition for ReconsiderationHuman Resource Generalistfall from chairtryoutemployment relationshipprospective employerbusiness visitorcontractual relationshippreponderance of the evidence
References
Case No. ADJ4363797
Regular
Jun 27, 2012

JOHN TRAN vs. TUNG KEE NOODLE, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION for FREMONT COMPENSATION in liquidation

This case concerns whether the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA) can depose Lee Caballero, a non-attorney representative for lien claimant Dan Ho, D.C., regarding his relationship with Dr. Ho. CIGA seeks to determine if the lien was assigned to Caballero, which would exclude it from CIGA's coverage. The Board rescinded the prior order denying the deposition and allowed CIGA to depose Caballero about his agreement with Dr. Ho, provided a written agreement is not produced. However, the deposition is limited to questions concerning the assignment of the lien, excluding confidential communications about the claim's merits.

CIGAlien claimantnon-attorney lay representativedepositionassignmentInsurance Code section 1063.1(c)(9)(B)confidentiality privilegeattorney-client privilegeattorney work product privilegecase of first impression
References
Case No. ADJ3605789 (GOL 0101314) ADJ2387995 (GOL 0101316) ADJ460036 (GOL 0101615)
Regular
Dec 12, 2011

JORGE VIVANCO vs. NEVERLAND VALLEY RANCH, ESTATE OF MICHAEL JACKSON, MJJ PRODUCTIONS, TRAVELERS INDEMNITY, UNITED STAFFING ASSOCIATES, AMERICAN HOME ASSURANCE COMPANY, MONARCH CONSULTING dba PES PAYROLL, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case involves a workers' compensation applicant claiming injuries while employed as a zookeeper for Neverland Valley Ranch and other entities. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the prior findings, and returned the case for further proceedings. The Board found that the trial judge erred by excluding evidence related to employment agreements under the parol evidence rule, which is relevant to determining employer status. Further development of the record is required to properly address the applicant's employment relationships with the defendant entities.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardJorge VivancoNeverland Valley RanchMichael JacksonMJJ ProductionsTravelers IndemnityUnited Staffing AssociatesAmerican Home Assurance CompanyMonarch ConsultingPES Payroll
References
Case No. ADJ10455142
Regular
Oct 19, 2017

RUBEN CELEDON vs. ADVANCED STRUCTURAL ALLOYS, LLC, ENSTAR NORTH AMERICA

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied a defendant's petition to disqualify the administrative law judge (WCJ). The defendant alleged bias due to a purported "preexisting relationship" with applicant's attorney and the WCJ's rulings. However, the defendant provided no specific facts to support the relationship claim, and the WCJ denied it. Erroneous rulings, even if numerous, do not automatically establish judicial bias, and the WCJ had previously corrected an order at the defendant's request. The Board found no evidence of bias and denied the petition for disqualification.

Petition for DisqualificationWCAB Rule 10452WCJ biaspreexisting relationshiperroneous rulingsaffidavitCode of Civil Procedure Section 641declaration under penalty of perjurysubjective perception of biasWorkers' Compensation Appeals Board
References
Case No. VNO 0470470
Regular
May 12, 2008

GERARDO RAMIREZ vs. WILLIAM ALONSO, UNINSURED EMPLOYERS FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration to further develop the record concerning applicant Gerardo Ramirez's employment status at the time of his injury. The Board rescinded the previous findings, finding the evidence insufficient to support dual employment and needing clarification on whether applicant was a casual employee, which might affect his eligibility for benefits. The case was returned to the trial level for additional evidence gathering, including a review of the defendant's insurance policy for the property where the injury occurred.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardUninsured Employers Fundindustrial injuryright major extremitydefendant's contentiondual employmentthreshold issueemployment relationshippresumption of employmentjoint venture
References
Case No. ADJ2528253 [VNO 0109315] ADJ4079159 [VNO 0110903] ADJ1557998 [VNO 0100061] ADJ1727207 [VNO 0120684]
Regular
Sep 19, 2008

GORDON BERGELSON vs. SPORTSCOACH CORPORATION OF AMERICA, RSKCO

The Appeals Board dismissed the applicant’s petition for reconsideration of the WCJ’s July 15, 2008 order relieving applicant’s counsel. The order relieving counsel is not a final order subject to reconsideration.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationOrder Granting Petition to Be Relieved as CounselWorkers' Compensation Administrative Law JudgeInterlocutory Procedural OrdersFinal OrderSubstantive RightLiability of PartiesAttorney-Client RelationshipSignificant Prejudice
References
Case No. ADJ8301207
Regular
Apr 02, 2013

MICHAEL HIGGS vs. BONILLA TRUCKING, LLC/THE REBEL STEEL TRUCKING INC; UNINSURED EMPLOYERS BENEFITS TRUST FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration of the applicant's petition. The Board adopted the trial judge's report and recommendations, which found that the applicant failed to establish an employment relationship with the defendants. This decision was based on conflicting testimony and a lack of credible evidence to support the applicant's claims. The WCJ's credibility findings were given significant weight in this determination.

WCABReconsiderationUninsured Employers Benefits Trust FundEmployment relationshipCumulative traumaDriver's trainerBill of LadingCredibility findingPreponderance of the evidenceIndependent contractors
References
Case No. ADJ8067615
Regular
Apr 15, 2015

Latonia Bowman vs. SARA LEE CORPORATION, ACE AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY

This case involves an attorney's request to be relieved due to irreconcilable differences with his client. The applicant had accused the attorney of misconduct and collusion with the insurance company. Although the applicant later expressed remorse and a desire to be a better client, the Appeals Board found the attorney-client relationship had irrevocably deteriorated. Consequently, the Board granted the attorney's petition and relieved his firm as counsel for the applicant.

Petition for RemovalDismissal of AttorneyIrreconcilable DifferencesAttorney-Client PrivilegeMisconductFraudCollusionBreakdown of RelationshipWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardWCJ
References
Case No. ADJ9292894
Regular
Jul 20, 2018

ELMER G. ARCHILA-GRACIA vs. GREENVIEW LANDSCAPE AND DESIGN LLC, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

Here's a summary of the case for a lawyer: The WCAB granted reconsideration and rescinded a prior order disallowing a lien claim due to a lack of record. The trial judge found no jurisdiction because no evidence of an employment relationship was adduced, but the Appeals Board found the record lacked required findings, evidence summaries, and admitted evidence. Consequently, the matter was returned to the trial level to develop the record on the employment issue and adjudicate the lien claim.

WCABLien ClaimantReconsiderationFindings and OrderJurisdictionEmployment RelationshipLabor Code Section 5313Substantial EvidenceDue ProcessDevelop the Record
References
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