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

Case No. ADJ8912819
Regular
Nov 13, 2017

DULCE GONZALEZ vs. MURANAKA FARMS, ZENITH INSURANCE COMPANY

The Appeals Board granted reconsideration and rescinded a WCJ's order awarding attorney's fees to the applicant. The WCJ had awarded fees for the defendant's failure to appear at a trial on March 18, 2016, citing Labor Code Section 5813. However, the Board found that the defendant provided a reasonable excuse for its inadvertent failure to appear due to a calendaring error and that there was no evidence of bad faith or a pattern of non-appearance. Therefore, attorney's fees were deemed not warranted under these circumstances.

Petition for ReconsiderationFindings and OrderAttorney's FeesFailure to AppearSanctionsBad-Faith TacticsExcusable NeglectCode of Civil Procedure Section 473Labor Code Section 5813WCAB Rule 10561
References
6
Case No. ADJ4281782
Regular
Jun 07, 2012

KATHY CAPONE vs. FIRST BANK & TRUST, CHUBB GROUP

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration of an order dismissing lien claimant Hepps Pharmacy's lien. Hepps Pharmacy failed to appear at a lien conference and filed its objection late, offering only "inadvertence" as an excuse. The Board found that this excuse lacked credibility and did not justify relief, particularly given the claimant's repeated failures to appear and file timely objections. The Board also noted that the lien claimant cured a verification defect in its petition for reconsideration and may consider sanctions for the failure to appear.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationLien claimantVerification defectSanctionsFailure to appearAdministrative Law JudgeElectronic Adjudication Management SystemNotice of Intent to DismissTimely objection
References
0
Case No. ADJ928027
Regular
Feb 03, 2016

DAVID TRINH vs. TZENG LONG USA, INC., BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY

This case involves the suspension of Mike Traw's privilege to appear before the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) under Labor Code Section 4907. The WCAB issued a Notice of Intention to suspend due to non-payment of sanctions and failure to respond. While Professional Lien Services, Inc. (PLS) sought extensions, neither Traw nor PLS provided a substantive response. Consequently, Traw's appearance privilege is suspended for ninety days due to his failure to comply with the WCAB's orders. Further action against PLS may occur if ordered sanctions remain unpaid.

Labor Code Section 4907Decision After RemovalNotice of IntentionSuspension of PrivilegeProfessional Lien ServicesMike TrawAppeals Board En BancSanction OrderInterference with Judicial ProcessWCAB
References
0
Case No. ADJ10020893
Regular
Aug 21, 2017

TZITZIRI BOLANOS ZACARIAS vs. MARZ FARMS, ZENITH INSURANCE COMPANY

This case involves Zenith Insurance Company's petition for reconsideration of a $250 sanction order. The sanction was imposed because Zenith and its attorneys failed to appear at a status conference due to an alleged calendaring error. Zenith argued this was an inadvertent mistake, not bad faith, and requested relief under WCAB Rule 10561. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration, adopting the judge's report that found no reasonable excuse for the failure to appear. One commissioner dissented, believing the sanctions were unjust given the isolated, inadvertent nature of the calendaring error and Zenith's prompt resolution of the underlying issue.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationOrder Imposing SanctionsStatus ConferenceNotice of Intention to SanctionReasonable ExcuseCalendaring ErrorWCAB Rule 10561Labor Code section 5813Bad Faith
References
0
Case No. ADJ8186610
Regular
Apr 11, 2014

MARIA RODRIGUEZ vs. VALLARTA FOOD ENTERPRISES, INC., dba VALLARTA SUPERMARKETS, SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Lien claimant North Valley Diagnostics' Petition for Reconsideration was granted after its lien was dismissed for failure to appear at a lien conference. The Appeals Board found sufficient cause, primarily an inadvertent calendaring error supported by prior diligent actions like paying fees and appearing at an earlier conference, to set aside the dismissal. The matter was returned to the trial level for further proceedings and a new decision by the WCJ. Commissioner Lowe dissented, agreeing with the WCJ that the calendaring error did not constitute good cause for non-appearance.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationOrder Dismissing LienLien ConferenceLien ClaimantNotice of Intention to DismissCompromise and ReleaseIndustrial InjuryDeli AttendantCalendaring Error
References
1
Case No. ADJ10044579
Regular
Dec 20, 2017

NEVITA BAILEY vs. FIRST GROUP AMERICA, NEW HAMPSHIRE INSURANCE COMPANY

The applicant filed a Petition for Removal after the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) issued a Notice of Intent to Dismiss due to the applicant's failure to appear at a Mandatory Settlement Conference (MSC). The ALJ's notice stipulated dismissal unless the applicant appeared at a rescheduled MSC, which was subsequently taken off calendar due to the removal petition. The Appeals Board denied removal, finding no substantial prejudice as the applicant's failure to appear at the rescheduled MSC was rendered moot by the rescheduling. The Board also noted that a Notice of Intent to Dismiss should not be issued for a *potential* future failure to appear, but rather based on an actual occurrence.

Petition for RemovalWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardMandatory Settlement ConferenceAdministrative Law JudgeNotice of Intent to DismissWCAB Rule 10563WCAB Rule 10562substantial prejudiceirreparable harmreconsideration
References
2
Case No. ADJ7073544
Regular
Sep 06, 2016

OMAR NUNEZ vs. PETROCHEM INSULATION, INC., AIG CLAIMS

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration and rescinded the prior dismissal of Omar Nunez's case. The WCAB found that the dismissal for failure to appear at trial violated Nunez's due process rights because no specific Notice of Intention to Dismiss (NIT) was issued for his non-appearance. The prior NIT addressed failure to prosecute, not failure to appear, thus depriving Nunez of an opportunity to object. The case was returned to the trial level for further proceedings.

Petition for ReconsiderationNotice of Intention to DismissFailure to AppearDue ProcessWCAB RulesDismissal Without PrejudiceFailure to ProsecuteViolation of RulesRescind OrderReturn to Trial Level
References
0
Case No. ADJ8596014
Regular
Nov 07, 2018

DION GEORGE vs. KJI PLUMBING, INC., ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY

This case involves a $\$ 750$ sanction imposed by a WCJ against defense counsel and KJI Plumbing for defense counsel's failure to appear at a hearing. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, finding the failure to appear was due to defense counsel's negligence, not willful misconduct. Consequently, the Board reduced the sanction to $\$ 250$ and removed KJI Plumbing as a liable party, solely sanctioning defense counsel and his law office. The Board cautioned that future failures to appear could establish a pattern justifying larger sanctions.

Petition for ReconsiderationOrder Imposing SanctionsWCJDefense CounselJointly and SeverallyUninsured Employers Benefits Trust FundMandatory Settlement ConferenceDeclaration of ReadinessLabor Code § 5813WCAB Rule 10561
References
0
Case No. ADJ171587
Regular
Dec 21, 2012

MARCUS VASQUEZ vs. MARION RESIDENCE, FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration of an administrative law judge's order suspending Integrated Healthcare Recovery Services (IHRS) from appearing before the board. This suspension stemmed from IHRS's failure to pay a $1,000 sanction previously imposed for missing a lien trial. The WCAB has now issued a notice of intent to suspend IHRS unless the sanction is paid within 20 days, citing IHRS's failure to comply with a final order as good cause. IHRS may avoid suspension by paying the sanction or demonstrating good cause to the WCAB.

Labor Code Section 4907Petition for ReconsiderationSuspension of AppearanceWCABWCJSanction OrderLien TrialFinal OrderFailure to PayHearing Representative
References
2
Case No. ADJ8 453844
Regular
Jun 15, 2016

ISOBETH CABRERA vs. LABOR READY, ESIS

This case involves a lien claimant seeking reconsideration of a dismissed lien. The lien was dismissed because the claimant failed to appear at a lien conference and subsequently file a properly verified objection detailing the excusable neglect. While the Board granted reconsideration, it intends to affirm the dismissal unless the claimant provides a sworn affidavit from a person with personal knowledge explaining the circumstances of the failure to appear. This affidavit must sufficiently detail the mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardLien claimantPetition for ReconsiderationOrder Dismissing LienNotice of Intention to Dismiss Lienverified objectionCode of Civil Procedure section 473Fox v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.Beverly Hills Multispecialty Group Inc. v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd.failure to appear
References
6
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