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

Case No. ADJ7673518, ADJ7647749
Regular
Jan 23, 2015

ANA DE AYALA vs. AO-THE UNIVERSITY CORPORATION / CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY NORTHRIDGE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and reversed a prior ruling, finding the applicant sustained industrial injury to her neck. While the applicant testified to injuring her neck in a workplace incident and this was partially corroborated, the Board found insufficient evidence for other claimed injuries. The Board specifically disagreed with the administrative law judge's credibility assessment concerning the neck injury itself, relying on medical reports and testimony supporting the neck injury claim. The Board affirmed the denial of claims for all other alleged injuries, finding insufficient medical evidence to link them to the incident.

Petition for ReconsiderationFindings and OrderIndustrial InjuryNeck InjuryBack InjurySpine InjuryUpper ExtremitiesPsycheGastroesophageal SystemInternal System
References
Case No. ADJ8668832
Regular

BACILIO ANGEL SALAZAR vs. SAN DIEGO PERSONNEL AND EMPLOYMENT AGENCY, INC., AMTRUST NORTH AMERICA for CASTLEPOINT NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted the defendant's petition for removal, rescinding a prior order that deemed a QME report timely. The Board found Dr. Tahami's psychiatric evaluation report was untimely served on the defendant. As the defendant objected prior to receiving the report, they are entitled to a replacement QME panel in psychiatry.

Petition for RemovalQualified Medical EvaluatorQME paneluntimely reportreplacement QMEAdministrative Director RuleLabor Codepsychiatric injurymedical-legal evaluationsubstantial prejudice
References
Case No. ADJ7345520
Regular
Sep 07, 2011

ANTONIO NAVARRO vs. CBS FASTENERS, INC., CYPRESS INSURANCE COMPANY, BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESTATE COMPANIES

This case involves applicant Antonio Navarro's petition for reconsideration of a denial of workers' compensation benefits. The administrative law judge found applicant was the initial aggressor in an altercation with a co-worker on December 4, 2008, rendering his injury non-compensable under Labor Code § 3600(a)(7). Applicant argued the defendant failed to prove initial aggressor status and that he reasonably felt threatened, but his petition misrepresented the record and contradicted his own trial testimony where he denied initiating the physical contact. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration, adopting the judge's report and finding overwhelming evidence, including witness testimony and a police report, that applicant was the initial aggressor.

initial aggressoraltercationsLab. Code § 3600(a)(7)Mathews v. Workmen's Comp. Appeals Bd.credibility determinationwitness testimonypolice reportWCJ credibilityPetition for ReconsiderationReport and Recommendation
References
Case No. LAO 838220
Regular
May 14, 2007

MARIA SERAFIN vs. LANSCO DIE CASTING, INC., STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the previous award, and remanded the case to determine permanent disability using the 1997 Schedule. This decision stems from the Board's finding that the applicant's treating physician's December 20, 2004, report indicated the existence of permanent disability, triggering an exception under Labor Code section 4660(d). Consequently, the outdated 1997 Schedule, not the 2005 Schedule, must be applied to calculate the applicant's permanent disability benefits.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardMaria SerafinLansco Die CastingState Compensation Insurance FundLAO 838220ReconsiderationFindings and AwardWCJIndustrial InjuryRight Shoulder
References
Case No. ADJ3133261 (VNO 0400017)
Regular
Aug 17, 2010

FELIPE TOLENTINO vs. CONCO CEMENT, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION, XCHANGING INC., FREMONT COMPENSATION

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) dismissed the lien claimant's petition for reconsideration as premature. The WCAB granted the defendant's petition for reconsideration regarding the temporary disability overpayment issue, deferring it for further proceedings. The Board affirmed the WCJ's findings on injury causation and permanent disability but amended the decision to clarify the overpayment issue. Finally, the WCAB issued a notice of intention to sanction defendant's counsel for attaching and citing unadmitted evidence.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardFELIPE TOLENTINOCONCO CEMENTCALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATIONXCHANGING INC.FREMONT COMPENSATIONliquidationADJ3133261VNO 0400017OPINION AND ORDERS DISMISSING PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION AND GRANTING PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION
References
Case No. ADJ6754074
Regular
Dec 14, 2010

BARBARA JACOME vs. DURHAM SCHOOL SERVICES, OLD REPUBLIC, SEDGWICK CMS

This case involves an applicant's petition for removal challenging a WCJ's order granting the defendant's request for a replacement Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME). The applicant argued the defendant's objection to the QME's report timeliness was conditional and not properly served, thereby waiving their right to a replacement. The Appeals Board granted removal, finding the defendant's objection, made after receiving the report, was insufficient and void. Therefore, the defendant was not entitled to a replacement panel, and the QME's report was deemed admissible.

Petition for RemovalQualified Medical EvaluatorReplacement PanelTimeliness ObjectionConditional ObjectionLabor Code SectionsCalifornia Code of RegulationsMedical DirectorAdministrative DirectorComprehensive Medical-Legal Evaluation
References
Case No. GOL 96757
Regular
Jun 10, 2008

SA YANG LO vs. CUSTOM SENSORS & TECHNOLOGIES, INC., STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration of a prior award, upholding the application of the 2005 Permanent Disability Rating Schedule. The Board found that exceptions allowing for the 1997 Schedule did not apply, as the applicant's temporary disability indemnity extended beyond January 1, 2005, and no qualifying pre-2005 reports indicated permanent disability. Furthermore, the Board found the applicant's vocational expert's opinion regarding diminished future earning capacity unpersuasive, thus affirming the initial 9% permanent disability rating.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardSA Yang LoCustom Sensors & TechnologiesInc.State Compensation Insurance FundGOL 96757Opinion and Order Denying ReconsiderationFindings and AwardWorkers' Compensation Administrative Law JudgeWCJ
References
Case No. ADJ6535347, ADJ6534384
Regular
Nov 02, 2015

CHRISTINE KNAPP vs. COUNTY OF FRESNO

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the applicant's Petition for Reconsideration. The applicant sought to overturn findings of $53\%$ permanent disability and disputed the exclusion of vocational expert reports and a claim of $100\%$ disability. The Board found the petition contained numerous factual misrepresentations and violations of WCAB rules and professional conduct by the applicant's attorney. The Board adopted the WCJ's report, which recommended denial due to the petition's legal defects and factual inaccuracies.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings of Fact and AwardOccupational Group NumberIndustrial InjuryRight ShoulderMigraine HeadachesPermanent DisabilityAgreed Medical ExaminerQualified Medical Examiner
References
Case No. ADJ9725603
Regular
Nov 23, 2020

LUZ LOZA vs. GOLDBLATT GOLDBLATT/BAY AREA RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT, ARCH INSURANCE COMPANY, administered by YORK RISK SERVICES GROUP, INC.

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration of an administrative law judge's order finding the applicant entitled to pre-authorization for their treating physician to issue a PR-4 report at the medical-legal billing rate. While affirming the applicant's right to obtain the report, the Board clarified that the defendant retains the right to object to or raise defenses regarding the physician's billing. The Board reasoned that treating physicians are permitted to provide comprehensive medical-legal evaluations, and such reports are governed by specific medical-legal fee schedules, not the Official Medical Fee Schedule.

PR-4 reportmedical-legal billing ratepre-authorizationprimary treating physician (PTP)Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME)comprehensive medical evaluationOfficial Medical Fee SchedulePetition for ReconsiderationFindings of Fact and Order (F&O)Labor Code
References
Case No. ADJ2653629 (LAO 0826099)
Regular
Dec 02, 2011

, Applicant, vs. HERITAGE PRINTING AND FINISHING CORP.; CHARTIS,

This case concerns the application of the 1997 or 2005 permanent disability rating schedule for a 2003 injury. The applicant's psychiatric permanent disability was found to exist as of November 1, 2004, based on a comprehensive medical-legal report. The Appeals Board affirmed the WCJ's decision to use the 1997 schedule, as the pre-2005 report triggered an exception under Labor Code section 4660(d). The defendant's arguments regarding the report's qualifications and separate rating for body parts were rejected.

Permanent disability rating scheduleLabor Code section 4660(d)1997 rating schedule2005 rating scheduleComprehensive medical-legal reportTreating physician reportAldi v. CarrMcClellanIngersollThompson & Horn
References
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