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. 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 The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr.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. 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. ADJ8396919
Regular
Jan 26, 2016

LEONEL ENCISO SANTOS vs. RCR PLUMBING MECHANICAL, ARCH INSURANCE SERVICES, GALLAGHER BASSETT SERVICES, INC.

This case involves petitions to dismiss liens based on untimely declarations required by Labor Code section 4903.8(d). The Appeals Board affirmed the trial judge's denial of dismissal, finding the statute does not mandate dismissal for pre-2013 liens filed untimely. However, the Board amended the findings to formally admit Foundation's corrected declaration and remanded for the WCJ to consider sanctions against the lien claimants for their delays.

Labor Code section 4903.8(d)Lien claimsPetition to dismissTimeliness of declarationReconsiderationFindings and OrderAmended declarationNatural personCompetent witnessPersonal knowledge
References
Case No. ADJ9248422, ADJ9247183
Regular
Sep 12, 2019

VERONICA VASQUEZ vs. EAST COAST FOODS, dba ROSCOE'S HOUSE OF CHICKEN AND WAFFLES, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

This case concerns the validity of liens filed by medical providers and interpreters. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted reconsideration and rescinded a prior order, finding that the declarations supporting the liens were invalid because the declarant, Ilona Kulikova, lacked personal knowledge. The Board dismissed one lien completely due to the lack of any other valid declaration. However, for two other liens, the Board remanded the case to allow the trial judge to reconsider additional declarations that were not initially evaluated.

Labor Code section 4903.8DeclarationPersonal knowledgeCompetent to testifyElectronic signatureLien claimantsAmended declarationsDue processJoint Findings and OrderPetition for Reconsideration
References
Case No. ADJ6602419
Regular
May 24, 2010

SIPRIANO MARTINEZ (Deceased) MARINA MARTINEZ (Widow) vs. BOLTHOUSE FARMS, ALL AMERICAN RISK LOSS ADMINISTRATORS

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) dismissed the defendant's petition for reconsideration of an order denying a change of venue because the order was procedural, not final. However, the WCAB granted the defendant's petition for removal, finding that the denial of venue change to Bakersfield was an error. The Board concluded that the defendant sufficiently demonstrated good cause under Labor Code section 5501.6 for a venue change to Bakersfield, where the applicant and witnesses reside and the events occurred. Therefore, venue was changed to the Bakersfield District Office.

Petition for ReconsiderationPetition for RemovalOrder Denying Change of VenueLabor Code section 5501.6(b)Due ProcessBakersfield District OfficeSan Francisco District OfficeFinal OrderProcedural OrderPanel Qualified Medical Evaluator
References
Case No. LAO 0824629
Regular
Aug 16, 2007

R. MARTINEZ vs. HILTON HOTEL, SPECIALTY RISK SERVICES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted the applicant's petition for removal, rescinding an earlier order that had taken the case off calendar over the applicant's objection. The Board agreed that the case should have proceeded to trial, as the defendant improperly filed a Declaration of Readiness to Proceed while proceedings were suspended. The matters are now returned to the trial level for rescheduling, with the issue of defense witnesses deferred to the trial judge.

RemovalPetition for RemovalDeclaration of Readiness to ProceedDiscoveryWitnessesOrder Suspending ProceedingsRescindedTrial LevelWCJWorkers' Compensation Appeals Board
References
Case No. ADJ8390531
Regular
Feb 21, 2018

SARA RUSH vs. PROCARE MOBILE RESPONSE, EVEREST NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY, administered by SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

This case concerns a medical treatment lien disallowance for non-compliance with Labor Code § 4903.8(d), which requires a declaration from a competent person attesting to services rendered and accurate billing. The Appeals Board rescinded the initial decision, finding that the lien claimant had substantially complied with the statute. The Board held that an electronic "S" signature was sufficient and that the billing clerk, Jennifer Zambrana, was competent to make the declaration given the circumstantial evidence of treatment. Consequently, the lien was not disallowed, and the case was returned for further proceedings.

WCABreconsiderationlien claimantdeclarationsection 4903.8(d)billing statementcostssanctionsJennifer Zambranacompetent witness
References
Case No. ADJ1988796 (OXN 0126081) ADJ4225705 (OXN 0126083)
Regular
May 09, 2012

JULIE ANN CABEZA vs. MARY HEALTH OF THE SICK, REDLAND INSURANCE

Attorney Hannan petitioned to disqualify WCJ Glass based on allegations of a conspiracy with other WCJs to penalize her and her clients. The Appeals Board denied the petition, finding insufficient specific facts and evidence to support the claims of bias. Hannan failed to provide required witness declarations and her allegations largely repeated prior contentions. The Board concluded the petition was untimely and lacked the necessary evidentiary support for disqualification.

Petition for disqualificationWCJ biasconspiracy allegationslien claimantattorney misconducttimely filingevidencejudicial impartialityADA accommodationwitness declarations
References
Case No. ADJ3466637
Regular
May 11, 2011

FRANK PONCE vs. OVERNIGHT TRANSPORTATION CO., LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted the defendant's Petition for Removal due to improper service of the applicant's Declaration of Readiness to Proceed (DOR) and lack of notice regarding issues raised at an expedited hearing. The Board rescinded the order requiring witness appearances at the July 7, 2011 trial. The case is returned to the trial level to be set for a Mandatory Settlement Conference (MSC) before the scheduled trial.

Petition for RemovalDeclaration of Readiness to ProceedMandatory Settlement Conferenceexpedited hearingwitness appearanceService of ProcessWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardWCJIndustrial InjuryFuture Medical Treatment
References
Case No. VNO 0272543, VNO 0246317
Regular
May 12, 2008

JOSE ACEVES vs. FERNANDO AUTO SALES, STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND

The Appeals Board granted the State Compensation Insurance Fund's petition for removal, overturning an interim decision that disallowed direct testimony from defendant's medical witnesses. The Board ruled that the restrictions on direct medical witness testimony in Rules 10606 and 10727 do not apply when physicians are testifying as percipient witnesses to issues like billing practices or illegal supervision of aides, rather than about the treatment of specific injured workers. Therefore, the testimony of these physicians is now allowed at trial.

Removal petitionInterim Findings and Awarddirect examinationmedical witnessespercipient witnessesadministrative proceduresbilling practicesscope of practiceLabor Code section 5708WCAB Rules 10606
References
Showing 1-10 of 1,614 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