CompFox Logo
AboutWorkflowFeaturesPricingCase LawInsights

Updated Daily

Case Law Database

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

Case No. WCK 059933
Regular
May 13, 2008

BART RICKMAN (Deceased), LUKE RICKMAN vs. C. OVERAA AND COMPANY, LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

This case involved a claim for workers' compensation death benefits for Bart Rickman, who died from a drug overdose. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration of the WCJ's finding that Rickman's death did not arise out of or occur in the course of his employment. While Rickman sustained admitted industrial injuries, the evidence, particularly Dr. Allems's opinion, strongly indicated his death was from a recreational heroin overdose, not from prescribed medications for his work-related injuries. The Board found applicant failed to meet the burden of proving industrial causation for the death.

Workers' Compensation Appeals Boardindustrial injurydeath benefitscause of deathrecreational drug useheroin overdosepain managementmedical evidenceQualified Medical Examiner (QME)substantial evidence
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

United States v. Mohammed

Defendant Taj Mohammed was indicted on federal drug conspiracy charges, including importing heroin and possession with intent to distribute. He filed a motion for a judgment of acquittal under Rule 29, challenging the sufficiency of the government's evidence. The court reviewed the circumstantial evidence, including the receipt of a package containing heroin and an alleged incriminating statement. Finding the evidence insufficient to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, particularly regarding his knowledge and participation in a conspiracy, the court granted the motion for acquittal on all counts. Mohammed was ordered to be released from custody.

Federal Criminal LawDrug ConspiracyJudgment of AcquittalRule 29 FRCPSufficiency of EvidenceCircumstantial EvidenceHeroin TraffickingIntent to DistributePossessionSecond Circuit Court of Appeals
References
13
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 02, 2017

United States v. Scott

Mr. Scott, a 46-year-old African American male from Queens, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin. He was involved in a drug trafficking organization in Queens. His addiction to heroin stemmed from prescription painkillers for a knee injury. On March 2, 2017, he was sentenced to time-served (approximately 20 months), three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. The court considered the nature of the offense, the defendant's characteristics, and the advisory sentencing guidelines, emphasizing parsimony in incarceration due to the defendant's acceptance of responsibility, stable family, and job prospects.

Conspiracy to DistributeHeroin TraffickingSentencing GuidelinesDrug AddictionPrescription Opioid MisuseSupervised ReleaseCriminal History Category VIAcceptance of ResponsibilityCareer OffenderFederal Sentencing
References
15
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

United States v. Caballero

Saul Caballero, who pleaded guilty to two drug conspiracies (heroin and methamphetamine distribution), objected to an aggravating role enhancement under the Sentencing Guidelines, arguing it would increase his mandatory-minimum sentence and thus require a jury finding beyond a reasonable doubt as per Alleyne v. United States. Following a two-day Fatico hearing, the District Court concluded that the government proved by a preponderance of the evidence that Caballero was a manager or supervisor of the heroin distribution conspiracy, but not the crystal methamphetamine conspiracy. The Court also rejected Caballero's argument that Alleyne mandates a jury to determine safety-valve eligibility, affirming that judicial fact-finding by a preponderance of the evidence for safety-valve criteria is constitutionally permissible as it potentially lessens, rather than increases, the mandatory minimum sentence. Therefore, the defendant's motion for a jury determination was denied.

Sentencing GuidelinesAggravating Role EnhancementMandatory Minimum SentenceSafety Valve EligibilityDrug ConspiracyHeroin DistributionMethamphetamine DistributionPreponderance of EvidenceJury DeterminationConstitutional Law
References
24
Case No. ADJ1707650 (SAL 0075628)
Regular
Jun 20, 2011

KAREN CLARK (Deceased) JEFFREY J. CLARK(Dependent) vs. AIRBORNE EXPRESS/DHL, AMERICAN MANUFACTURER'S INSURANCE COMPANY/SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

The applicant sought reconsideration of a decision that barred their death benefit claim due to the statute of limitations. They argued that compensable consequence injuries should be treated as new injuries, with the date of knowledge of industrial causation being the relevant date. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration, adopting the judge's report, and amended the findings. The amended finding clarifies the injured worker's death from a Fentanyl overdose and asserts it was a compensable consequence of a prior industrial injury.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardDeath CaseLabor Code section 5406Compensable consequence injuriesStatute of limitationDate of knowledgeIndustrial injuryFentanyl overdosePetition for reconsiderationFindings and Order
References
0
Case No. ADJ7324566
Regular
Apr 09, 2013

BRANDON CLARK DECEASED, JOVELYN CLARK (WIDOW), GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR JOANNA CLARK (MINOR CHILD), BRITTANY CLARK (MINOR CHILD), BENJAMIN CLARK (MINOR CHILD) vs. SOUTH COAST FRAMING, INC., REDWOOD FIRE AND CASUALTY COMPANY, BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESTATE COMPANIES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration of a death claim where the decedent, Brandon Clark, died from combined toxic effects of sedating drugs. The defense argued that industrially prescribed medications did not significantly contribute to the death, but the Board upheld the finding that the industrially prescribed amitriptyline was a contributing factor. The Board found ample evidence supported industrial causation, rejecting the defense's attempt to limit causation solely to non-industrial medications and their untimely raised claim of intentional overdose.

Death ClaimIndustrial InjuryReconsiderationWidows BenefitsMinor DependentsToxicologyDrug InteractionCausationExpert OpinionMedical Examiner
References
0
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

United States v. Gomez

Mr. Gomez, a defendant previously sentenced for cocaine distribution, violated his supervised release due to a relapse into heroin addiction, which he self-reported. The Probation Department failed to secure immediate residential drug treatment, leading to further addiction and a robbery arrest. Despite Sentencing Guidelines recommending imprisonment, the court, acknowledging the Probation Department's inadequacies and Mr. Gomez's impending substantial state prison sentence for the robbery, sentenced him to 'time served' for the supervised release violation. The court lamented the systemic failures in providing adequate drug treatment.

Supervised Release ViolationHeroin AddictionDrug Treatment FailureSentencing DiscretionTime Served SentenceProbation Department LimitationsRobbery OffenseCriminal Justice ReformSubstance Abuse TreatmentFederal District Court
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Gedon v. University Medical Residents Services, P. C.

The claimant appealed a decision by the Workers’ Compensation Board denying death benefits for her deceased husband, an anesthesiology resident who died from a sufentanil overdose. The Board had ruled that his death did not arise out of and in the course of his employment. The claimant argued that the decedent's addiction was work-related due to job stress and access to narcotic drugs. However, the court affirmed the Board’s decision, finding no substantial medical evidence to specifically link the decedent's drug addiction and subsequent death to the conditions of his employment. The court noted the lack of a clear diagnosis and treating physician testimony to support the claim.

Workers' CompensationDeath BenefitsSubstance AbuseAnesthesiologyOccupational DiseaseMedical ResidencyCausationEmployment-Related InjuryDrug OverdoseAppellate Review
References
7
Case No. S7 91 Cr. 451
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 28, 1993

United States v. Marquez

This Memorandum Opinion and Order details the findings for the sentencing of defendant Flora Marquez following a Fatico hearing. Marquez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess heroin. The hearing addressed disputes regarding the quantity of narcotics involved, her role in the offense, and claims of diminished capacity. The Court determined a Base Offense Level of 32, denied adjustments for her role or diminished capacity, and allowed only a two-point reduction for acceptance of responsibility. Consequently, Marquez's Total Offense Level was set at 30, with a Criminal History Category of I, leading to a sentencing guideline range of 97-121 months.

Criminal LawSentencing GuidelinesDrug ConspiracyHeroin DistributionCocaine DistributionFatico HearingRelevant ConductBase Offense LevelDiminished CapacityAcceptance of Responsibility
References
21
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 20, 2006

In re Hailey W.

This is an appeal from a Family Court order in Steuben County entered July 20, 2006. The order adjudged respondent father, Robert W., neglected his children under Family Court Act article 10 and placed him under supervision. The father appealed the neglect finding, challenging the court's decision, despite a previous stipulation regarding the dispositional portion of the order. The appellate court affirmed the finding of neglect, rejecting the father's preclusion argument. Evidence showed the father abused drugs in front of his children, was hospitalized for an overdose, and admitted daily illegal drug use, which did not qualify for a statutory rehabilitative program exception.

Child NeglectFamily Court Act Article 10Parental RightsDrug AbuseAppellate ReviewPreponderance of EvidenceStipulationDispositional OrderFact-Finding HearingRehabilitative Program
References
8
Showing 1-10 of 17 results

Ready to streamline your practice?

Apply these legal strategies instantly. CompFox helps you find decisions, analyze reports, and draft pleadings in minutes.

CompFox Logo

The AI standard for workers' compensation professionals. Faster research, deeper analysis, better outcomes.

Product

  • Platform
  • Workflow
  • Features
  • Pricing

Solutions

  • Defense Firms
  • Applicants' Attorneys
  • Insurance carriers
  • Medical Providers

Company

  • About
  • Insights
  • Case Law

Legal

  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Trust
  • Cookies
  • Subscription

© 2026 CompFox Inc. All rights reserved.

Systems Operational