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 The WCAB rescinded the decision and returned the case to the trial level, finding the medical opinions of Dr.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. ADJ8944771
Regular
Apr 14, 2015

OSCAR CARBALLO vs. THE WATERFRONT HOTEL, NATIONAL UNION FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the applicant's Petition for Reconsideration. The Board affirmed the Workers' Compensation Judge's (WCJ) finding that the applicant failed to prove their injury arose out of and occurred in the course of employment (AOE/COE). The WCJ found the applicant's testimony less credible than the defense witnesses, who testified the applicant claimed injury at home. The Board gave great weight to the WCJ's credibility determinations, as the judge had the opportunity to observe the witnesses.

Petition for ReconsiderationWCABInjury AOE/COECredibility DeterminationsWitness DemeanorIndustrial CausationLabor Code 4600(a)(10)Pre-termination TreatmentDefense WitnessesApplicant Testimony
References
Case No. ADJ8621523
Regular
Oct 27, 2015

MEI YING CHEN vs. JOHNSON LEATHER CORPORATION

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board dismissed Johnson Leather Corporation's petition for reconsideration of a findings and award. The original award found the defendant violated Labor Code section 132a by terminating an employee for intending to file a workers' compensation claim. The defendant sought reconsideration based on newly available witnesses, but the Board found the petition lacked specific legal arguments and evidentiary support from the record. Furthermore, the defendant failed to demonstrate why these witnesses were unavailable at the original trial or request a continuance.

Labor Code section 132adiscriminatory dischargePetition for ReconsiderationFindings and Awardworkers' compensation injuryunavailable witnessesReport and Recommendationcredibility determinationWCJ credibilitymanagerial testimony
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. ADJ7345520
Regular
Sep 07, 2011

ANTONIO NAVARRO vs. CBS FASTENERS, INC., CYPRESS INSURANCE COMPANY, BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESTATE COMPANIES

This case involves applicant Antonio Navarro's petition for reconsideration of a denial of workers' compensation benefits. The administrative law judge found applicant was the initial aggressor in an altercation with a co-worker on December 4, 2008, rendering his injury non-compensable under Labor Code § 3600(a)(7). Applicant argued the defendant failed to prove initial aggressor status and that he reasonably felt threatened, but his petition misrepresented the record and contradicted his own trial testimony where he denied initiating the physical contact. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration, adopting the judge's report and finding overwhelming evidence, including witness testimony and a police report, that applicant was the initial aggressor.

initial aggressoraltercationsLab. Code § 3600(a)(7)Mathews v. Workmen's Comp. Appeals Bd.credibility determinationwitness testimonypolice reportWCJ credibilityPetition for ReconsiderationReport and Recommendation
References
Case No. ADJ383777
Regular
Apr 04, 2011

Roxanna Ortiz vs. ONE SOURCE, ESIS

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied Roxanna Ortiz's petition for reconsideration of a prior findings and order. The initial ruling determined she sustained industrial injury only to her cervical spine as a janitor, not to other body parts or any resulting temporary/permanent disability or need for further medical treatment. Ortiz argued the judge erred by favoring defense medical reports and discrediting her testimony due to minor inconsistencies in her injury description. The Board adopted the WCJ's report, emphasizing deference to credibility determinations and that admissibility of medical reports should have been challenged at trial, not on reconsideration. A dissenting opinion argued the judge overemphasized minor variations in Ortiz's account and that medical evidence did not sufficiently support denial of other injuries or further treatment.

OrtizOne SourceESISWCABFindings and OrderPetition for ReconsiderationWorkers' Compensation Administrative Law Judgeindustrial injurycervical spineright arm
References
Case No. ADJ9577721
Regular

RENE ESQUIVEL vs. MID STATE STEEL ERECTORS, INC., administered by BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESTATE COMPANIES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) denied the applicant's petition for reconsideration in case ADJ9577721. The Board adopted and incorporated the findings of the workers' compensation administrative law judge (WCJ). The WCAB gave significant weight to the WCJ's credibility determination, as the judge observed witness demeanor. No substantial evidence warranted rejecting the WCJ's credibility findings.

Petition for ReconsiderationWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardWCJ credibility determinationGarza v. Workmen's Comp. Appeals Bd.administrative law judge reportdenial of reconsiderationsubstantiality of evidencewitness demeanorlegal precedentcase ADJ9577721
References
Case No. ADJ9693295, ADJ9797058
Regular
Nov 09, 2017

TONY THANG PHUNG vs. METIS TPS LLC, INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE WEST

The Appeals Board dismissed the Petition for Removal, ruling that reconsideration was the proper remedy. The Board denied the Petition for Reconsideration, adopting the WCJ's findings and credibility determinations. The WCJ found the applicant sustained injury arising out of and occurring in the course of employment (AOE/COE). Great weight was given to the WCJ's credibility determinations due to the opportunity to observe witness demeanor.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for RemovalPetition for ReconsiderationAOE/COEWCJ credibility determinationfinal orderthreshold issueadequate remedyRymer v. HaglerSafeway Stores
References
Case No. ADJ9675888
Regular
Mar 03, 2016

XIAO WEN LU vs. HAWAIIAN GARDENS CASINO, INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE WEST

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) denied Xiao Wen Lu's Petition for Reconsideration in this case against Hawaiian Gardens Casino and its insurer. The WCAB adopted and incorporated the Workers' Compensation Judge's (WCJ) report and reasoning. They gave significant weight to the WCJ's credibility determination, as the judge observed the witness's demeanor, and found no substantial evidence to overturn it. Consequently, the Petition for Reconsideration was denied.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationWCJ credibility determinationGarza v. Workmen's Comp. Appeals Bd.ADJ9675888Hawaiian Gardens CasinoInsurance Company of the Westadministrative law judgedenial of reconsiderationwitness demeanor
References
Showing 1-10 of 513 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