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

Case No. ADJ8026817
Regular
Apr 22, 2013

MARIA OCHOA vs. RANGERS DIE CASTING COMPANY, COMPWEST INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration of a decision finding the applicant sustained injury to her respiratory system and psyche AOE/COE. The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr. Lipper and Dr. Curtis lacked substantiality. Specifically, the physicians failed to provide clear diagnoses, quantify exposures, or adequately explain causation. The Board noted contradictory testimony from the applicant's supervisor and insufficient evidence to support the initial findings.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardMaria OchoaRangers Die Casting CompanyCOMPWEST INSURANCE COMPANYADJ8026817Los Angeles District OfficeOpinion and Order Granting ReconsiderationDecision After ReconsiderationFindings of FactWorkers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge (WCJ)
References
Case No. ADJ8128282
Regular
Jan 23, 2014

ANGELA EGBIKUADJE vs. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATIONS, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and rescinded a prior award, returning the case for further proceedings. The defendant, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, argued that the applicant's psychiatric injury claim was preempted by the ADA and not proven under Labor Code section 3208.3. The Board found the original decision lacked proper analysis regarding predominant industrial causation and the good faith personnel action defense. Therefore, the case was remanded for further development of the record, including expert medical opinion on these issues.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardAngela EgbikuadjeCalifornia Department of Corrections and RehabilitationLegally UninsuredState Compensation Insurance FundADJ8128282Van Nuys District OfficeReconsiderationFindings and AwardIndustrial cumulative trauma injury
References
Case No. ADJ7166686
Regular
Jul 24, 2012

RICHARD ANDERSON vs. JAGUAR/LANDROVER OF VENTURA, COMPWEST INSURANCE COMPANY

This case involves an applicant who suffered a stroke and subsequent 100% permanent disability following surgery for an industrial shoulder injury. The defendant sought reconsideration, arguing for apportionment to pre-existing conditions and challenging the attorney's fee calculation. The Appeals Board affirmed the 100% permanent disability finding, finding no basis for apportionment as the applicant's pre-existing conditions did not cause the disability itself. However, the Board modified the attorney's fee award, requiring commutation using a specific method and a 3% cost of living adjustment, finding the previously assumed 4.6% to be speculative.

Workers Compensation Appeals BoardRichard AndersonJaguar/Landrover of VenturaCompwest Insurance CompanyADJ7166686ReconsiderationFindings and AwardIndustrial InjuryBrain InjuryNeurological System
References
Case No. ADJ8610560
Regular
Sep 19, 2013

William Brown (Deceased), Annette Brown vs. SAVE MART SUPERMARKETS

This case involves a widow's petition for workers' compensation death benefits for her truck driver husband who died in a motorcycle accident after leaving work. The administrative law judge denied the claim, finding it barred by the going and coming rule. The applicant argued the special risk exception applied due to hazardous road conditions and a quantitatively greater risk compared to the general public. The majority of the Appeals Board denied reconsideration, agreeing with the WCJ that the risks were not exclusive to employment.

Going and Coming RuleSpecial Risk ExceptionDeath BenefitsMotor Vehicle AccidentIndustrial InjuryTruck DriverNegligencePublic RoadZone of DangerHazard
References
Case No. ADJ1337074 (GRO 0034564) ADJ1286218 (GRO 0034565)
Regular
Jun 24, 2009

Dave Gerletti vs. SANTA MARIA AIRPORT DISTRICT, GREGORY BRAGG STOCKTON

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied Dave Gerletti's petition for reconsideration of an award for a cumulative trauma injury to his cervical spine and lungs. The original award found 35% permanent disability, apportioning 50% of the cervical spine disability to non-industrial factors based on a Qualified Medical Evaluator's opinion of degenerative changes. The majority affirmed the WCJ's reliance on this opinion, finding it adequately explained. A dissenting opinion argued the QME's apportionment was speculative and improperly based on age and genetics, recommending an unapportioned award for the cervical spine injury.

Workers' Compensation Appeals Boardcumulative traumacervical spinelungspermanent disabilityapportionmentQualified Medical EvaluatorAgreed Medical Examinerarthritic degenerationnon-industrial factors
References
Case No. SDO 0323941
Regular
Aug 20, 2007

CAPRICE SMITH vs. KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER, SPECIALTY RISK SERVICES, AIG

This case concerns whether the old or new workers' compensation permanent disability rating schedule applies to an injury predating the 2005 schedule changes. The Board affirmed the WCJ's prior determination that the 1997 schedule applies due to a final, unchallenged finding on the matter. However, the Board granted reconsideration to amend the award, deferring the issue of permanent disability and attorney's fees for further proceedings at the trial level due to the WCJ's insufficient explanation of the disability rating and apportionment.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardKindercare Learning CenterSpecialty Risk ServicesAIGCaprice SmithSDO 0323941Petition for ReconsiderationAmended Findings and AwardPreschool TeacherIndustrial Injury
References
Case No. ADJ8137677
Regular
Nov 20, 2015

RAYMOND RICKEN vs. COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE

This case concerns the denial of the County of Riverside's petition for reconsideration of a workers' compensation award. The administrative law judge found the applicant sustained an industrial injury causing 14% permanent disability and requiring further treatment, with no apportionment. The defendant argued the judge should have relied on a PQME's opinion for 50% apportionment or that the record needed further development. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration, finding the PQME's apportionment opinion lacked substantial evidence as it improperly apportioned to risk factors rather than pathology and failed to apply the correct legal standard of medical probability.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardFindings and Awardindustrial injurycardiovascular systemhypertensionpermanent disabilityapportionmentpanel qualified medical examinerPQMEsubstantial evidence
References
Case No. ADJ9160815
Regular
Jun 10, 2014

ALMA CEDILLO vs. CEDARS SINAI MEDICAL CENTER, TRISTAR RISK MANAGEMENT

This case involves an applicant, Alma Cedillo, seeking workers' compensation benefits from Cedars Sinai Medical Center and Tristar Risk Management. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) issued an order denying a Petition for Removal filed in the case. The WCAB adopted the reasoning of the workers' compensation administrative law judge (WCJ) in reaching its decision to deny removal. Therefore, the applicant's request to remove the case from the current process was rejected.

Petition for RemovalWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardCedars Sinai Medical CenterTristar Risk ManagementAdministrative Law JudgeADJ9160815Van Nuys District OfficeAlma Cedillodenying removalworkers' compensation
References
Case No. SFO 0496923
Regular
Jan 15, 2008

ROBERT THOMPSON (Deceased) NATALIA THOMPSON (Widow) vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL, Legally Uninsured; STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND, Adjusting Agency

This case concerns a California Highway Patrol officer who died from melanoma. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the prior award of death benefits, and found the injury was not industrial. The Board concluded the applicant failed to demonstrate a reasonable link between his employment and the melanoma, citing non-industrial risk factors such as childhood sun exposure and family history.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardRobert ThompsonNatalia ThompsonCalifornia Highway PatrolLegally UninsuredState Compensation Insurance FundSFO 0496923Opinion and Order Granting ReconsiderationDecision After ReconsiderationFindings and Award
References
Case No. ADJ7863081
Regular
Jun 25, 2012

RONNIE BROWN vs. MASTER PLUMBING, RISK ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT, AMERICAN ALL RISK LOSS

In this workers' compensation case, the defendant sought reconsideration of a prior Board decision that had granted them a Petition for Reconsideration and amended a WCJ's decision to deny the applicant temporary disability indemnity. The defendant argued the Board erred by not finding them entitled to a credit for temporary disability already paid during that period. The Board denied the defendant's petition, stating that the issue of credit for overpayment is discretionary under Labor Code section 4909 and should have been addressed at the trial level by the WCJ. Therefore, the defendant's petition for reconsideration of the denial of the credit was denied.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationTemporary Disability IndemnityCredit for OverpaymentLabor Code section 4909Findings Award and OrderAdministrative Law JudgeDecision After ReconsiderationMaster PlumbingRisk Enterprise Management
References
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