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Case Law Database

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

Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

O'DELL v. Barnhart

Plaintiff William O'Dell sought disability insurance benefits due to carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar neuropathy, and tendinitis, which he claimed prevented him from working since 1996. The Commissioner of Social Security, Jo Anne B. Barnhart, denied benefits, asserting O'Dell retained the residual functional capacity to perform other work. After an Administrative Law Judge and the Appeals Council upheld the denial, O'Dell initiated this review action in the District Court under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). The District Court, presided over by Judge Larimer, affirmed the Commissioner's final determination, concluding that the ALJ's findings were supported by substantial evidence regarding O'Dell's capacity for other work in the national economy.

Social Security ActDisability Insurance BenefitsResidual Functional CapacityTreating Physician OpinionAdministrative Law JudgeVocational Expert TestimonyCarpal Tunnel SyndromeUlnar NeuropathyTendinitisFederal District Court Review
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Curtis v. Xerox

The claimant, employed for 33 years in data entry, developed severe pain in her wrists, hands, and fingers, leading to a workers’ compensation claim. The Workers’ Compensation Law Judge initially denied benefits, finding no prima facie evidence. However, the Workers’ Compensation Board twice reversed, first directing the employer to produce medical records and later drawing an inference of a causally related occupational disease due to the employer's failure to comply. The Board also precluded lay testimony regarding the nonexistence of these records. On appeal by the employer and carrier, the Appellate Division affirmed the Board’s decision, holding that the Board properly precluded the testimony and drew a negative inference. The court also found substantial medical evidence from treating and independent physicians supported the finding of a work-related occupational disease and confirmed the Board's jurisdiction to remand the case for further proceedings concerning a new diagnosis of bilateral ulnar neuropathy.

Occupational diseaseCarpal tunnel syndromeBilateral ulnar neuropathyData entryMedical recordsNegative inferenceAdjournmentWorkers' Compensation BoardAppellate reviewSubstantial evidence
References
9
Case No. 524328
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 11, 2018

Matter of Murrah v. Jain Irrigation, Inc.

Claimant Steven Murrah sustained a work-related injury to his right shoulder in 2010 while working for Jain Irrigation, Inc., leading to workers' compensation benefits. In 2014, while working for a different employer, he jarred his right shoulder again. A Workers' Compensation Law Judge initially found ulnar neuritis and cubital tunnel syndrome causally related to the 2010 incident. The Workers' Compensation Board modified this, finding no causal relation for ulnar neuritis but affirming and amending the 2010 claim to include right cubital tunnel syndrome. Jain Irrigation and its carrier appealed, arguing that ulnar neuritis and cubital tunnel syndrome are the same condition and that the issue was not properly preserved. The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed the Board's decision, declining to take judicial notice of the conditions' synonymity due to conflicting record evidence and deferring to the Board's resolution of medical evidence.

Workers' CompensationRight Shoulder InjuryRotator CuffUlnar NeuritisCubital Tunnel SyndromeCausationMedical EvidenceAppellate ReviewJudicial NoticeWork-Related Injury
References
8
Case No. ADJ2778117 (RIV 0032584)
Regular
Dec 31, 2009

KEYIN MORALES vs. RALPHS GROCERY CO., SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

The WCAB granted the petition for reconsideration and amended the Findings and Award to find 18 1/2 percent permanent disability, after apportionment of 50 percent to applicant's non-industrial peripheral neuropathy.

ApportionmentPeripheral neuropathyCausationPermanent disabilityAgreed medical examinerWCJPetition for reconsiderationFindings and AwardWork restrictionsIndustrial injury
References
4
Case No. ADJ9509417
Regular
Apr 05, 2023

ELIZABETH ARBOGAST vs. CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board affirmed an award for further medical treatment and attorney fees for an applicant diagnosed with ovarian cancer, hernia, peripheral neuropathy, and colon issues sustained during her employment with the California Highway Patrol. The Board found the applicant's ovarian cancer to be an insidious and progressive disease, warranting a reservation of jurisdiction over permanent disability. This reservation allows for future determination of permanent disability if the condition worsens or recurs.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardCalifornia Highway Patrolmedically uninsuredState Compensation Insurance FundAdjudication NumberOpinion and Decision After ReconsiderationFindings and Awardworker's compensation administrative law judgeovarian cancerhernia
References
11
Case No. ADJ8878991
Regular
Jan 31, 2014

JAY SCHETTLER vs. ALLIED BEVERAGES, INC.; CYPRESS INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the defendant's petition for reconsideration of the administrative law judge's finding of injury. The applicant, a route salesman, claimed he stepped on glass, injuring his left foot, which was corroborated by medical records showing a cut and the applicant's delayed awareness due to diabetic neuropathy. Defense witness testimony also supported the applicant's claim of cutting his toe at work. The Board found the applicant's testimony credible and the medical evidence sufficient to establish the injury arose out of and in the course of employment.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings of Factterritory route salesmanmechanism of injurydiabetic neuropathycredibilitymedical recordsReport and Recommendationurgent care
References
1
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Sep 22, 1999

Umansky v. Masterpiece International Ltd.

The plaintiff, a receptionist and clerical worker, was terminated by the defendants after being diagnosed with bilateral ulnar nerve entrapment, a condition similar to carpal tunnel syndrome. The plaintiff alleged discrimination based on disability, violating Executive Law § 296 and Administrative Code § 8-107. The defendants contended the termination was due to poor job performance. The Supreme Court denied the defendants' motion for summary judgment, citing a material question of fact regarding whether the disability prevented the plaintiff from performing her job or if there was a legitimate non-discriminatory reason for termination. The appellate court affirmed the Supreme Court's order, upholding the denial of summary judgment.

discriminationdisabilitywrongful terminationsummary judgmenthuman rights lawulnar nerve entrapmentemployment lawappellate reviewmaterial question of factKings County
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Newsome v. Astrue

Gordon C. Newsome challenged the Commissioner of Social Security's final determination denying him social security disability benefits. The Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) had found Newsome not disabled, attributing his impairments primarily to alcohol abuse and a temporary hip fracture. The District Court identified several legal errors by the ALJ, including improper assessment of neuropathy and DVT diagnoses, mischaracterization of a treating physician's report, and failure to adequately develop the record regarding the materiality of alcohol abuse to Newsome's physical limitations. Consequently, the Plaintiff's motion for judgment on the pleadings was granted, the Commissioner's cross-motion was denied, and the case was remanded to the ALJ for further proceedings consistent with the court's decision.

Social Security DisabilityAlcohol AbuseSeizure DisorderPancreatitisNeuropathyDeep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)Credibility AssessmentTreating Physician RuleRemandAdministrative Law Judge (ALJ)
References
54
Case No. ADJ6552734
Regular
Apr 02, 2015

Diane Garibay-Jimenez vs. Santa Barbara Medical Foundation Clinic, Zurich American Insurance

This case concerns a denied request for left ulnar nerve decompression surgery. The Administrative Law Judge (WCJ) upheld the denial, finding the applicant failed to provide necessary Agreed Medical Examiner (AME) reports to the Independent Medical Review (IMR), making a further review unreasonable. However, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration, rescinding the WCJ's order. The WCAB found the defendant failed to comply with Labor Code section 4610.5(l) by not providing all relevant medical records to IMR, thus invalidating the prior IMR determination. The matter was returned for a new IMR application, holding the defendant responsible for submitting complete records.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardDiane Garibay-JimenezSanta Barbara Medical Foundation ClinicZurich American InsuranceADJ6552734Opinion and Order Granting Petition for ReconsiderationExpedited Findings of Fact and OrderAdministrative Law JudgeIndependent Medical ReviewUtilization Review
References
0
Case No. 534831
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 12, 2023

In the Matter of the Claim of Susan Zuhlke

Susan Zuhlke appealed two decisions by the Workers' Compensation Board concerning a schedule loss of use (SLU) award for her right leg injuries. Zuhlke, a teacher, suffered right ankle and knee/tibia fractures in October 2018, later including fibular neuropathy. While a 25.8% SLU for her right foot was stipulated, a dispute arose over the right knee, with the Board ultimately affirming a 15% SLU based on the carrier's medical consultant's opinion and denial of reconsideration. The Appellate Division affirmed the Board's determination, finding substantial evidence supported the 15% SLU award for the right knee, consistent with impairment guidelines and prior Board decisions regarding tibial plateau fractures.

Workers' CompensationSchedule Loss of UseSLURight Leg InjuryTibial Plateau FractureFibular NeuropathyMaximum Medical ImprovementImpairment GuidelinesMedical OpinionsAppellate Review
References
9
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