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. ADJ477837 (RIV 0041432)
Regular
Oct 09, 2014

HOWARD POUND vs. CARS HOLDING, INC., CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION for FREMONT COMPENSATION

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed a prior decision finding the applicant sustained industrial injury to his spine and irritable bowel syndrome, resulting in 60% permanent disability. The Board also upheld the denial of compensation for psychiatric injury, deeming the fall caused by balloon string not a "sudden and extraordinary employment condition." A dissenting opinion argued the event was uncommon and unexpected, thus compensable under Labor Code section 3208.3(d). The majority opinion found the WCJ's reasoning, that tripping on balloon string was not an event expected to cause psychic disturbances, to be sound.

Labor Code section 3208.3(d)psychiatric injurysudden and extraordinary employment conditionapportionmentpermanent disabilityindustrial injurycompensable injuryreconsiderationfindings and awardworkers' compensation
References
10
Case No. ADJ6527507
Regular
Oct 18, 2010

Wayne Moore vs. EAST BAY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT, ATHENS ADMINISTRATORS

The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, finding the WCJ improperly substituted his medical judgment for the Qualified Medical Evaluator's (QME) regarding the applicant's industrial sleep disturbance. The WCJ's finding of no industrial sleep impairment, despite the QME's opinion indicating such, was deemed erroneous. The Board rescinded the original award and remanded the case for a new rating that incorporates the QME's findings on sleep disturbance. Additionally, the WCJ must correct an identified occupational group number error in future rating calculations.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardWayne MooreEast Bay Municipal Utility DistrictAthens Administratorsmachinist maintenance workermachinistmachinist maintenancepermanent disabilityapportionmentQualified Medical Evaluator
References
0
Case No. ADJ7037201
Regular
Apr 22, 2013

Eddie Avakian vs. CITY OF BALDWIN PARK, ADMINSURE

This case involves an applicant police officer seeking reconsideration of a Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) decision that awarded 72% permanent partial disability. The applicant contended the WCJ erred by excluding sleep disturbances and sexual dysfunction from the disability rating and by apportioning his cardiovascular disability. The WCAB granted reconsideration, rescinded the original award, and found the applicant's sexual dysfunction and sleep disorder compensable. The matter was returned to the trial level for a new decision, with the WCAB stating it would not disturb other findings, including the hypertension apportionment.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardEddie AvakianCity of Baldwin ParkPermissibly Self-InsuredAdministered By ADMINSUREADJ7037201Opinion and Order Granting ReconsiderationDecision After ReconsiderationFindings and Award and OrderAdministrative Law Judge
References
0
Case No. ADJ7022670, ADJ7022669
Regular
Nov 18, 2019

Lonnie Brown vs. CITY OF TORRANCE

In this workers' compensation case, the defendant sought reconsideration of an award that included psychic injury and a combined permanent disability rating. The defendant argued for separate awards based on different injury dates and questioned the substantiality of medical evidence for both orthopedic and psychiatric impairments. They also contended the WCJ erred in relying on certain medical opinions and requested further record development. The Board denied the petition, adopting the WCJ's report which found substantial medical evidence supported the psychic injury and the combined award, and that orthopedic disability apportionment was appropriate.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCity of TorranceLonnie BrownJoint Findings and Awardpsyche injurybilateral knee disabilityapportionmentpermanent disabilitylife pensionsubstantial medical evidence
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Lafferty v. Manhasset Medical Center Hospital

This case addresses an alleged medical malpractice involving a mismatched blood transfusion to Anna E. Lafferty, resulting in claims for emotional anguish by her daughter-in-law, Helen M. Lafferty, who witnessed and participated in the event. The court denied the defendant's motion to dismiss Helen M. Lafferty's claims, arguing that her active involvement placed her within a foreseeable "zone of psychic danger," establishing a direct duty of care owed to her by the hospital. The decision indicates a willingness to expand liability in New York for psychic injury to active participants, moving beyond traditional bystander limitations.

Medical MalpracticeEmotional DistressPsychic TraumaBystander RecoveryZone of DangerForeseeabilityNegligenceWrongful DeathPersonal InjuryDuty of Care
References
14
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Keane v. New York State Electric & Gas Co.

Claimant filed for workers' compensation benefits due to a psychic injury with physical symptoms, alleging harassment and excessive work stress. The employer contested, arguing the injury resulted from a lawful personnel decision excluded by Workers’ Compensation Law § 2 (7). The Workers’ Compensation Board found a causally related psychic injury from excessive work stress and awarded benefits. The employer and its insurance carrier appealed. The appellate court affirmed the Board's decision, finding substantial evidence supported the finding that the injury was caused by ongoing work-related stress exceeding normal levels, thus constituting a compensable mental injury.

Workers' CompensationPsychic InjuryWork StressHarassmentPersonnel DecisionCausationMedical EvidenceAppellate ReviewSubstantial EvidenceMental Injury
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Acrison, Inc. v. Schenck Corp.

This is a patent infringement action where Acrison, Inc. alleges that Schenck Corporation infringed two of its patents for "loss-in-weight" feeder systems. These systems utilize microprocessor circuitry to maintain a steady discharge rate by mitigating external disturbances. Schenck moved for summary judgment, asserting non-infringement, specifically challenging the interpretation of Element H of Claim 1 of the 102 patent concerning signal comparison and disturbance response. The court found no literal infringement but denied summary judgment, concluding that a reasonable jury could find equivalence between the two systems under the doctrine of equivalents, and rejected Schenck's arguments regarding file history estoppel and independent patentability.

Patent infringementLoss-in-weight feederMicroprocessor circuitryDoctrine of equivalentsSummary judgmentClaim interpretationFile history estoppelDigital circuitryAnalog circuitryIndustrial control systems
References
15
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Rackley v. County of Rensselaer

A caseworker employed by the Rensselaer County Department of Social Services filed a workers' compensation claim for mental stress, citing a heavy caseload as the cause. Initially, an Administrative Law Judge dismissed the claim, stating a lack of specific psychic trauma. However, the Workers' Compensation Board reversed this decision, finding that the claimant's chronic depression and disablement stemmed from their demanding work environment. The self-insured employer subsequently appealed the Board's determination. The court affirmed the Board's decision, clarifying that mental injury does not require a discrete psychic trauma and can arise from prolonged emotional stress, even if the underlying cause is common to similarly employed individuals.

Mental InjuryEmotional StressPsychic TraumaChronic DepressionWork-Related InjuryCaseloadWorkers' Compensation BoardAppealEmployer LiabilityMedical Testimony
References
10
Case No. 2016-790 K C
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 25, 2017

751 Union St., LLC v. Charles

This case concerns an appeal by 751 Union Street, LLC, the landlord, against Linda Charles, the tenant, in a holdover summary proceeding. The landlord alleged the tenant engaged in nuisance behavior, including verbal and physical assaults on building staff and the owner's family, and disturbing a neighbor by banging on the ceiling. The Civil Court initially granted the tenant's motion for summary judgment, dismissing the petition entirely. The Appellate Term reversed this decision in part, ruling that while the allegation of disturbing a neighbor required a notice to cure per the lease, the other nine allegations concerning landlord and his employees did not. Consequently, the court granted partial summary judgment only for the ceiling-banging allegation, allowing the remaining claims to proceed.

holdover proceedingnuisancesummary judgmentnotice to cureRent Stabilization Codelease agreementlandlord-tenant disputeverbal abusephysical assaultappellate review
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Eschenasy v. New York City Department of Education

Rachel and Dan Eschenasy, parents of Ann Eschenasy, sought summary judgment for Ann's classification as emotionally disturbed under IDEA and tuition reimbursement for two private schools, John Dewey Academy and the Elan School. The New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) and the City of New York, defendants, sought summary judgment denying reimbursement and dismissing the City. The federal District Court granted the plaintiffs' motion that Ann is emotionally disturbed and needs special education, reversing the State Review Officer. It granted tuition reimbursement for the Elan School due to its structured environment and Ann's progress but denied it for John Dewey Academy. The court also granted the motion to dismiss the City of New York and denied plaintiffs' request for attorneys' fees.

IDEAEmotional DisturbanceSpecial EducationTuition ReimbursementSummary JudgmentSocial MaladjustmentConduct DisorderTherapeutic Boarding SchoolElan SchoolJohn Dewey Academy
References
14
Showing 1-10 of 179 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