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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. ADJ316515 (SAL 0118244) ADJ1659308 (SAL 0048019)
Regular
Apr 06, 2009

DONN TRENNER vs. MONTEREY PENINSULA AIRPORT DISTRICT, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the WCJ's award, and returned the case for further proceedings. The WCJ incorrectly calculated attorney fees under Labor Code section 5814.5 by applying a percentage of a penalty, rather than assessing reasonable hours at a reasonable rate. The Board emphasized that the fee determination must follow the controlling factors outlined in *Ramirez v. Drive Financial Services*. The case is remanded to ensure the attorney fee award is neither disproportionate to benefits obtained nor based on an impermissible calculation method.

Labor Code Section 5814.5Ramirez v. Drive Financial ServicesWCJAppeals Board en bancattorney's feespenaltymedical treatmentablation procedureco-pay reimbursementRocha v. Puccia Construction Co.
References
Case No. ADJ7415342
Regular
Jul 01, 2013

Maggie Davis vs. Kern Medical Center, County of Kern

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the County of Kern's Petition for Reconsideration regarding an award of attorney's fees. The Board affirmed the WCJ's decision to award applicant's attorney $770.00 based on 2.2 hours at $350.00 per hour for deposition representation. The Board found the defendant's arguments regarding the hourly rate, comparing it to physician and defense attorney rates, to be irrelevant and frivolous. The Board adopted the WCJ's reasoning that applicant attorneys' fees are distinct from defense counsel's billing practices and established $350.00 per hour as reasonable for a Certified Workers' Compensation Specialist in the Bakersfield office.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationLabor Code §5710Deposition Attorney's FeesHourly RateCertified SpecialistBakersfieldKern Medical CenterCounty of KernApplicant Attorney
References
Case No. ADJ10138143
Regular
Sep 01, 2017

SHIRLEY BROWN vs. MERCY MEDICAL CENTER MERCED COMMUNITY CAMPUS, SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted the applicant's petition for reconsideration, amending a prior decision. The Board ruled that attorney's fees for the applicant's counsel should be based entirely on their reasonable hourly rate and hours worked, not a combination of hourly rate and a percentage of the recovery. This decision clarified that fees owed by an employer under Labor Code § 4064(c) for an unrepresented employee's attorney are determined by the reasonableness of hours and hourly rate, not the indemnity awarded. Consequently, the applicant's attorney was awarded $10,758.75.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationAttorney's FeesHourly RatePercentage of RecoveryLabor Code § 4064Declaration of Readiness to ProceedStipulations with Request for AwardQuantum MeruitIndemnity
References
Case No. ADJ515169 ADJ620656
Regular
Oct 04, 2017

SERGIO CHAIREZ vs. CHEROKEE BINDERY, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION for PAULA INSURANCE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the applicant's petition for reconsideration, affirming the administrative law judge's finding that \$13.75 per hour was an adequate rate for home healthcare services. The Board found insufficient evidence that the applicant's spouse performed services requiring a higher Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) rate. However, the case was removed to the Appeals Board to return the issue of applicant's attorney's fees to the trial level for further proceedings and decision.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationHome Healthcare RateLicensed Vocational NurseCatheterizationHourly RateStipulated AwardAttorney's FeesRemovalDecision After Removal
References
Case No. ADJ9163144
Regular
May 11, 2015

JOEL CULBERTSON vs. COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, TRISTAR RISK MANAGEMENT

This case concerns the County of Los Angeles's petition for reconsideration of a workers' compensation judge's order awarding applicant's attorney fees under Labor Code section 5710. The County argued it was denied due process by not being allowed to call witnesses at a hearing and that the awarded hourly rate was unreasonable. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration, finding the County's petition lacked specificity and that the County had an opportunity to be heard at a Mandatory Settlement Conference and failed to request a trial or make an offer of proof. The Board concluded the awarded fee was justified based on reasonable rates for similarly experienced counsel.

Labor Code section 5710Petition for ReconsiderationWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardAdministrative Law Judgeattorney's feehourly ratedue processMandatory Settlement Conferenceoffer of proofskeletal petition
References
Case No. FRE 0131884
Regular
May 28, 2008

CARMEN E. SOLLARS vs. TARGET STORES

The Court of Appeal remanded this case for additional attorney's fees for applicant's counsel after the defendant's petition for writ of review was denied. While applicant's counsel requested $8,640 based on 28.8 hours at $300/hour, the Appeals Board reduced the award. The Board found the requested rate and hours excessive, awarding $2,500 based on 10 hours at $250/hour, considering the result, work performed, and difficulty.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for Writ of ReviewAttorney's FeesLabor Code § 5801Court of AppealRemittiturSupplemental AwardAppellate WorkHourly RateReasonable Fees
References
Case No. ADJ4258585 (OXN 0130492) ADJ220258 (OXN 0130487)
Regular
Apr 17, 2018

ENRIQUE HERRERA vs. MAPLE LEAF FOODS, U.S. FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY, ALEA NORTH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY

This notice informs parties that the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) intends to admit its rating instructions and a disability rater's recommended permanent disability rating into evidence. The WCAB previously granted reconsideration for further study. Parties have seven days to object to the rating instructions or the recommended rating, with specific procedures for addressing objections. If no timely objection is filed, the matters will be submitted for decision thirty days after service.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDPermanent Disability RatingDisability Evaluation UnitRating InstructionsRecommended Permanent Disability RatingJoint RatingReconsiderationObjectionRater Cross-ExaminationRebuttal Evidence
References
Case No. ADJ4280040 (VNO 0557524)
Regular
Jun 09, 2010

CARLOS GUZMAN vs. BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

This case involves a supplemental attorney's fee award for applicant's counsel. The Court of Appeal denied the defendant's petition for writ of review and remanded for attorney's fees and costs. While the applicant's attorney requested $2100 based on six hours at $350/hour, the Board awarded $1500 based on six hours at $250/hour, considering the attorney's recent admission to the bar and lack of specialization. Costs were not awarded as they were not requested.

Supplemental Attorney's FeesLabor Code §5801Petition for Writ of ReviewReasonable Attorney's FeesHourly RateState Bar AdmissionCertified SpecialistWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardBarrett Business ServicesInc.
References
Case No. ADJ4671941 (STK 0169283)
Regular
Jul 24, 2013

GEORGE VIVEIROS vs. TURLOCK CITY TOW SERVICE, WESTPORT INSURANCE CORPORATION

Following remand from the Fifth District Court of Appeal, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) awarded additional attorney's fees to the applicant's attorney. The WCAB found the requested hourly rate of $400.00 reasonable, considering the attorney's specialization and experience. However, travel time was disallowed, and the final award was reduced to $2,800.00 for 7 hours of appellate work on a moderately complex legal issue.

Workers' Compensation Appeals Boardattorney's feesPetition for Writ of Reviewsupplemental awardappellate workLabor Code § 5801certified specialistreasonable hourly ratetravel timespinal surgery
References
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