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. AD J6659170
Regular
Mar 25, 2016

JOSE VIRAMONTES vs. MARBORG INDUSTRIES, NEW HAMPSHIRE INSURANCE

This case involves a lien claimant, ManagedMed Inc., seeking reconsideration of a decision that disallowed its $\$13,032.00$ lien. The original judge found the applicant sustained industrial orthopedic injuries but not a psychiatric injury. ManagedMed argued the psychiatric injury was a compensable consequence and the defendant did not properly deny it. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration, adopting the judge's report and reasoning that the lien claimant, standing in the applicant's shoes, failed to prove by a preponderance of evidence that industrial events predominantly caused the alleged psychiatric injury.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardLien claimantPetition for ReconsiderationIndustrial injuryPsychiatric injuryOrthopedic injuryCompensable consequenceLabor Code section 5402Burden of proofPreponderance of evidence
References
3
Case No. ADJ1279352
Regular
Nov 18, 2010

WARREN BARNA vs. PACIFIC TUBE, ST. PAUL TRAVELERS, SUBSEQUENT INJURIES BENEFITS TRUST FUND

The Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) sought reconsideration of an award finding them liable for an applicant's psychiatric injury. The applicant had previously settled orthopedic claims and a cumulative trauma claim. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration to amend the original decision, adding specific findings required by Labor Code section 4751 regarding the applicant's pre-existing psychiatric disability and the compensable industrial psychiatric injury. The Board affirmed the original finding of liability against the SIBTF, while clarifying the applicant's eligibility for SIBTF benefits and addressing the issue of potential offsets.

Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fundpsychiatric disabilitypre-existing disabilityindustrial injurypermanent partial disabilityLabor Code section 4751Workers' Compensation Appeals Boardreconsiderationcumulative traumaspecific injury
References
0
Case No. ADJ3135090 (SAC 0355157) ADJ6834808
Regular
Sep 12, 2019

GUY LEE vs. UOP/MCGEORGE SCHOOL OF LAW, SUBSEQUENT INJURIES BENEFITS TRUST FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed the WCJ's decision denying benefits from the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF). Applicant's prior stipulation dismissing claims for sleep disturbance, sexual dysfunction, and psychiatric injury bound him from pursuing these for SIBTF benefits. Even without those dismissals, applicant's permanent disability rating for the subsequent injury, after adjustments, did not meet the 35% threshold required for SIBTF eligibility. The WCJ's finding that the industrial injury was not the predominant cause of the claimed psychiatric injury also contributed to the denial.

Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust FundLabor Code section 4751permanent partial disabilitystipulated dismissalpredominant causepsychiatric injurybilateral carpal tunneldiminished future earning capacityWCJWorkers' Compensation Appeals Board
References
4
Case No. ADJ9041984 ADJ9040577
Regular
Dec 21, 2018

ISABEL VALENCIA vs. FIFTH AND PACIFIC COMPANIES, HARTFORD CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, BROADSPIRE SERVICES, INC.

This case involves applicant Isabel Valencia's claim for psychiatric injury stemming from a previously stipulated orthopedic injury. The defendant contended the psychiatric injury was not work-related, arguing it was a consequence of the physical injury. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration, affirming that a "compensable consequence" injury, like a psychiatric condition resulting from an industrial orthopedic injury, is industrially related. The Board also found it appropriate to further develop the record regarding applicant's disability, as the current psychiatric condition prevents accurate assessment.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDFIFTH AND PACIFIC COMPANIESHARTFORD CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANYBROADSPIRE SERVICESINC.ADJ9041984ADJ9040577Findings Award and Orderstipulationpsychiatric injury
References
1
Case No. ADJ10275361
Regular
Jan 27, 2020

RUSSELL MCFADDEN (deceased); RENEE MCFADDEN, JAZMINE MCFADDEN, and RUSSELL MCFADDEN, II vs. KEOLIS TRANSIT AMERICA; LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed a judge's decision denying a death benefit claim for Russell McFadden, who died by suicide. The applicant contended his death resulted from an industrial psychiatric injury due to occupational stress. Medical evidence indicated that industrial factors were only a 35% cause of the decedent's psychiatric disorder, with significant pre-existing conditions and drug use being the predominant causes. Furthermore, the Board found no evidence that the suicide was an irresistible impulse, distinguishing it from cases where an industrial injury directly causes a mental condition that prevents resistance to suicide. Therefore, the claim was denied based on the psychiatric injury not being predominantly industrially caused and the suicide not meeting the criteria for compensability.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardRenee McFaddenKeolis Transit AmericaLiberty Mutual Insurance CompanyADJ10275361Opinion and Decision After ReconsiderationIndustrial Psychiatric InjuryOccupational Stress and StrainCompensable Death ClaimLabor Code Section 3600(a)(6)
References
6
Case No. ADJ5779347, ADJ6812428, ADJ6812429
Regular
Nov 16, 2012

RICHARD RAMIREZ vs. GEORGIA-PACIFIC, LLC

This case involves an applicant claiming psychiatric injury along with physical injuries. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration to address the defendant's contention that the applicant failed to meet the statutory threshold for psychiatric injury. Ultimately, the Board found no industrial psychiatric injury, rescinded the previous award, and issued a new award for physical injuries, permanent disability, and necessary future medical treatment for those injuries. The Board also clarified that while the applicant needs treatment for depression and sleep issues, these were not found to be industrially caused.

WCABGeorgia-PacificLLCESISFindings and OrderReconsiderationFindings and Awardpsychiatric injurycumulative traumapermanent disability
References
0
Case No. ADJ1315350 (VNO 0557111)
Regular
Apr 20, 2012

LINDA KAMBOW vs. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, VALLEY STATE PRISON FOR WOMEN, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case involves a workers' compensation claim by an inmate laborer for orthopedic and psychiatric injuries. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reimbursement to Hepps Pharmacy for medications, as no prescription was provided. The Board also reversed an award to Southern California Mental Health Associates for psychiatric treatment, ruling that inmate psychiatric injuries are not compensable under Labor Code section 3208.3(j). The Board found that the psychiatric injury was a consequence of the industrial orthopedic injury, and thus not a compensable independent non-industrial condition requiring treatment to relieve orthopedic effects.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPsychiatric injuryLabor Code 3208.3(j)Inmate laborerIndustrial orthopedic injuryNon-industrial psychiatric treatmentPrimary treating physicianSubstantial medical evidenceCompromise and Release AgreementLien trial
References
4
Case No. ADJ10170331
Regular
Sep 23, 2019

ROBIN WITHERS vs. ALLIED BARTON SECURITY SERVICES, ARCH INSURANCE COMPANY

This case concerns Robin Withers' petition for reconsideration of a workers' compensation ruling denying her claim for psychiatric injury. The administrative law judge found that Withers sustained industrial injury in the form of headaches but not to her psyche. Withers argued she proved a work-related psychiatric injury, citing symptoms that predated significant non-industrial stressors. However, the evidence, including expert opinion, indicated that non-industrial stressors were the predominant cause of her psychiatric condition. Therefore, the petition for reconsideration was denied.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardADJ10170331Findings of FactPetition for ReconsiderationWCJpsychiatric injuryPQMEpredominant causenon-industrial stressorssexual harassment
References
2
Case No. ADJ10478327
Regular
Jan 25, 2018

RUBEN RODRIGUEZ vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA

This case concerns a claim for psychiatric injury sustained by a groundskeeper/janitor who unknowingly ingested marijuana-laced cheesecake provided by a coworker. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed the administrative law judge's finding that the applicant sustained a compensable industrial injury to his psyche. The Board reasoned that the act of being drugged at work, which led to immediate psychiatric disability, constituted a specific industrial injury, irrespective of subsequent events. The opinion clarifies that the initial injury occurred when the applicant became psychiatrically disabled after consuming the substance, satisfying the elements of a compensable injury.

Psyche injuryMarijuana-laced cheesecakeFood poisoningPsychiatric diagnosisAdjustment DisorderGAF ratingCausationIndustrial injuryCompensable consequencePersonnel action
References
0
Case No. ADJ9898989
Regular
Sep 20, 2022

DOUGLAS SCHAAN vs. JERRY THOMPSON & SONS, LIBERTY MUTUAL

The applicant sought reconsideration of a Workers' Compensation Appeals Board decision that awarded 74% permanent disability, excluding psychiatric impairment. The applicant argued for 100% permanent disability and that his injury was catastrophic, entitling him to an increased rating for his psychiatric condition. The Board affirmed the original decision, finding the injury was not catastrophic under Labor Code section 4660.1(c)(2)(B) and that the applicant failed to prove he was permanently totally disabled due to the industrial injury. The applicant's vocational expert's conclusions were deemed unreliable as they improperly considered non-industrial factors and psychiatric issues outside the scope of catastrophic injury.

Permanent DisabilityCatastrophic InjuryLabor Code Section 4660.1(c)(2)(B)Qualified Medical EvaluatorWhole Person ImpairmentActivities of Daily LivingVocational RehabilitationPermanent Total DisabilityFindings and AwardReconsideration
References
7
Showing 1-10 of 13,948 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