Case Name:	Aguirre v. WCAB		07/22/1991
Summary:	He conceded that in that event the applicant would have subsequently come into his office to sign the compromise and release agreement. He next testified that he had no present recollection of when Mr. Aguirre came into his office to sign the settlement papers and no present recollection of what he said to Mr. Aguirre about the content of the settlement agreement. Mr. Chavez later denied having said that he told applicant a future injury in rehabilitation might exceed the amount of the settlement. Mr. Chavez ultimately testified that he recalled personally reading verbatim to Mr. Aguirre the language purporting to waive benefits for any future injuries sustained during rehabilitation and asking Mr. Aguirre if he understood what had been read to him; Mr. Aguirre answered yes, and there was thereafter no need for Mr. Chavez to explain the compromise and release. Mr. Chavez finally conceded that he could not explain why his signature did not appear on that copy of the document.
Note:	Compromise/release of liability for future injuries sustained during rehab. must be express, clear to applicant.
Citation:	232 Cal. App. 3d 744, 56 CCC 420
WCC Citation:	WCC 25691991 CA

Case Name:	Aitken v. Pacific Steel Casting Co.		02/07/2011
Summary:	Charles J. Aitken v. Pacific Steel Casting Co, No. A126395 (Cal. App. Dist. 1 02/07/2011) IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT DIVISION FOUR A126395 February 7, 2011 CHARLES J. AITKEN, PLAINTIFF AND APPELLANT, v. PACIFIC STEEL CASTING CO. , DEFENDANT AND RESPONDENT. INTRODUCTION Appellant Charles J. Aitken appeals from the trial court's ruling granting respondent Pacific Steel Casting Co. 's motion for summary judgment. (Marsh v. Tilley Steel Co. (1980)26 Cal. 3d 486, 493 (Marsh); Kowalski v. Shell Oil Co. (1979) 23 Cal. 3d 168, 175 (Kowalski). )It was Plant Maintenance, and not Pacific Steel, who paid appellant directly. In his deposition, appellant states that he "needed some tools that they didn't have at Pacific Steel .
Note:	Exclusive remedy barred a worker's suit against a borrowing employer after it proved that he was a special employee, the 1st District Court of Appeal ruled.
Citation:	A126395
WCC Citation:	WCC 37152011 CA

Case Name:	Alberda v. Board of Retirement of Fresno County Employees' Retirement Assoc.		02/20/2013
Summary:	ALBERDA v. BOARD OF RETIREMENT OF FRESNO COUNTY EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION THOMAS ALBERDA, Plaintiff and Appellant, v. BOARD OF RETIREMENT OF FRESNO COUNTY EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION, Defendant and Respondent. The Board of Retirement of Fresno County Employees' Retirement Association (Board) denied Thomas Alberda's application for a service-connected disability retirement. The knee did not require ongoing treatment; Alberda passed his Fresno County pre-employment physical as well as the physical requirements of the law enforcement academy. On April 4, 2008, the Board denied the application and instead approved the grant of a non-service connected disability retirement if Alberda wished to apply for one. Dr. Morgan, a board certified orthopedic surgeon who also performed independent medical evaluations, examined Alberda on November 4, 2009, and prepared a report.
Note:	A Fresno County deputy sheriff is getting a second chance at proving his entitlement to a service-connected disability retirement since the trial judge who upheld the administrative denial of his application applied the wrong standard of review to the Fresno County Employees' Retirement Association's decision.
Citation:	F064017
WCC Citation:	WCC 39882013 CA

Case Name:	Albertson's v. WCAB (Bradley)		04/29/1982
Summary:	We granted a writ of review in this case to consider whether an employee's claim of a cumulative injury (Lab. When she returned to work, Bassinger's attitude toward her appeared to have changed; he was now "very curt with [her]. "Bradley was "so embarrassed that [she] just wanted to die," and she rapidly began to experience difficulty breathing, shaking and nausea. She told Bassinger she was sick and wished to see her doctor; he responded, in a "very nasty" tone, "'[w]hatever suits you. '"Her doctor gave her a tranquilizer and kept her at his office for four or five hours after this incident.
Note:	Honest misperception of job harassment may mix with pre-existing psychiatric condition so as to cause compensable job stress, but must be supported by competent evidence.
Citation:	131 Cal.App.3d 308
WCC Citation:	WCC 31161982 CA

Case Name:	Albillo vs. Intermodal		12/11/2003
Summary:	Named plaintiffs and appellants Irwin Albillo and Luis Montoya are class representatives of the appellant class of independent contractor truck owners and owner-operators, who contracted to transport freight for defendants and respondents Intermodal Container Services, Inc. , Intermodal Container Services, Inc. doing business as Harbor Rail Transport, Interstate Consolidation, Inc. , and Interstate Consolidation, Inc. doing business as Cartage Service. The two primary companies are Intermodal Container Service, Inc. and Interstate Consolidation Service, Inc. [FN 2] A division of Intermodal does business as Harbor Rail Transport; a division of Interstate does business as Cartage Service. Intermodal motor carriers, or trucks, are a critical link in the intermodal chain, as they are the only effective means of moving trailers or containers from marine and rail terminals. Appellants Irwin Albillo and Luis Montoya filed the operative first amended complaint on April 8, 1999, on behalf of themselves and similarly-situated individuals. The companies' founders sold their interest in Intermodal and Interstate to Pacer International in 1997, after this lawsuit was initiated.
Note:	It is unlawful for a company to enter into a contract with an independent contactor and then require the independent contractor to pay the cost of workers' compensation insurance premiums.
Citation:	114 Cal.App.4th 190
WCC Citation:	WCC 29612003 CA

Case Name:	Aldi v. Carr, McClellan, etc.		06/21/2006
Summary:	*fn2 Because of the important legal issue presented as to the meaning and application of Senate Bill (SB) 899 (Stats. )*fn3 rating schedule applies, unless one of the exceptions delineated in the third sentence of section 4660(d) is present. "Three Interpretations of Subdivision (d) of Labor Code Section 4660 "There are three possible interpretations of the second and third sentences in subdivision (d). Since the Administrative Director did not adopt the revised rating schedule until January 1, 2005, the third sentence is moot. "We do not address at this time when and how the exceptions in the third sentence of section 4660(d) apply.
Note:	Failure by the Division of Workers' Compensation to adopt a new permanent disability rating schedule (PDRS) on or before 1/1/05, as mandated by Labor Code section 4660(e), did not otherwise alter its applicability to injuries that occurred earlier than 1/1/05.
Citation:	70 CCC 783
WCC Citation:	WCC 31672006 CA

Case Name:	Alejandre v. Valleycrest Companies		09/29/2008
Summary:	Filed 9/29/08 Alejandre v. Valleycrest Companies CA1/4 NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS California Rules of Court, rule 8. 1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8. 1115(b). IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT DIVISION FOUR CATALINA ALEJANDRE et al. , Plaintiffs and Appellants, v. VALLEYCREST COMPANIES, Defendant and Respondent. In January 2002, defendant Valleycrest Companies (Valleycrest) took its pickup truck to a dealer because the air bag light was flashing. *fn1 About a year after these events, in March 2003, Valleycrest hired Ignacio Alejandre, Sr. In September 2004, Alejandre was driving the Valleycrest truck to a work site with other employees when a vehicle from the opposite direction crossed the center line and collided head-on with the truck.
Note:	[Unpublished] An employee's dependents may not maintain a civil action for damages where, as here, the employee is injured by the employer's deliberate failure to assure that workplace equipment is safe, and conceals the lack of safety features on that equipment.
Citation:	A120256
WCC Citation:	WCC 34312008 CA

Case Name:	Algara v. Automobile Club of Southern California		08/21/2012
Summary:	ALGARA v. AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA JULIA ALGARA, Plaintiff and Appellant, v. AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, Defendant and Respondent. NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS OPINION RAMIREZ, P. J. Julia Algara, plaintiff, was terminated from her employment at Automobile Club of Southern California (Automobile Club), after multiple extensions of her medical leave of absence. Plaintiff contacted the Palm Springs office of Automobile Club and was informed that there were openings, but that a hiring freeze was in effect. On May 3, 2011, the motion was granted by the superior court, and judgment in favor of Automobile Club was entered accordingly. She urges that there was insufficient evidence to support the trial court's finding that Automobile Club terminated plaintiff's employment for a non-discriminatory reason, because Automobile Club had not presented uncontroverted evidence of a "need" to fill plaintiff's position.
Note:	An office worker who was unable to return to work after more than six months of medical leave could not assert a viable disability discrimination claim against her employer based on its decision to terminate her and hire someone else to fill her position, which it had held open for 24 weeks.
Citation:	E054171
WCC Citation:	WCC 39242012 CA

Case Name:	Alhambra Comm. Hospital v. WCAB		06/21/1979
Summary:	Petitioner Alhambra Community Hospital (Alhambra Hospital), a non-profit hospital corporation, provided medical care on a 'self-procured' basis totalling $5,581. 73 in billing to Avelar for the alleged industrial condition. n7 A conference was then held, but Alhambra Hospital could not resolve its differences with Avelar and Elmore. Thus, Avelar and Elmore proposed to 'settle around' Alhambra Hospital; thereby leaving Alhambra Hospital to litigate its lien. Alhambra Hospital sought reconsideration by the WCAB on the approval of the settlement without provision being made for its lien. Since Alhambra Hospital's lien does not come within section 4903. 1, the appeals board has no authority to force Alhambra Hospital to take a reduction on its lien.
Note:	Disputed claim can be settled without satisfaction of any outstanding liens or lien claimant's consent.
Citation:	44 CCC 611
WCC Citation:	WCC 25271979 CA

Case Name:	Ali v. USA. Cab Ltd.		07/24/2009
Summary:	Ali also submitted a copy of the training manual USA Cab provided its lessees. Before entering into a lease with USA Cab, Ali leased a taxi from Ivory Cab. Ali also testified he kept no financial records and could not ascertain how much he earned while driving the USA Cab taxi. In July, without leave of court, Ali filed declarations by Hristov and two additional drivers for USA Cab, which set forth individualized claims. After his relationship with USA Cab ended in 2007, Hristov worked for two other cab companies as an independent contractor and without any employee benefits.
Note:	The declarations of 36 putative class members sufficiently shows that they plaintiffs failed to meet their burden as to the predominance of common issues.
Citation:	D052127
WCC Citation:	WCC 35472009 CA

Case Name:	Aliano v. WCAB		12/24/1979
Summary:	Aliano contends that the determination by the WCAB of his level of permanent disability resulting from the industrial injury is in error. Petition by Aliano for WCAB to Grant Reconsideration on Its Own Motion or Grant Reopening On October 7, 1974, more than 20 days after the findings and award of August 8, 1974, Aliano filed with the WCAB a 'Petition for Reconsideration on Appeals Board's Own Motion and Alternatively Petition to Reopen. 'In this petition Aliano argued that certain medical reports, which Aliano contended were material, had not been introduced into evidence by his prior counsel. D. Decision of WCAB on Reconsideration of Decision Granting Reopening Canoga/Eldorado sought reconsideration by the WCAB of the WCJ's decision. When the WCAB on reconsideration modified the award upon the petition for reconsideration by Canoga/Eldorado, Aliano could either seek reconsideration by the WCAB or could directly seek judicial review by a petition for writ of review.
Note:	Reopened b/c employer failed to properly present facts in original decision; Service of hospital records not required but their willful suppression is fraud.
Citation:	100 Cal.App.3d 341, 44 CCC 1156
WCC Citation:	WCC 26651979 CA

Case Name:	Alliant Insurance Services, Inc. v. Gaddy		02/07/2008
Summary:	Respondent Alliant Insurance Services, Inc. (Alliant) is an insurance brokerage business that obtains insurance for construction companies. In 2004, Alliant purchased a competing insurance brokerage, Gaddy Ward & Company Insurance Brokers (GWC), for $4. 1 million. He argues it should be limited to only four counties where, according to Gaddy, Alliant has construction clients. Alliant vice president Gregory Zimmer attested in a declaration that defendant worked for Alliant from 2004 until defendant's termination in October 2006. Thus, the supplemental declaration indicated there were two components to GWC's business -- (1) selling insurance to construction clients, and (2) procuring insurance from insurance companies.
Note:	A noncompetitive covenant regarding the sale of a company may only address the geographic location in which the company sold does business. However, the area where a business is 'carried on' is not limited to the locations of its buildings, plants and warehouses, nor the area in which it actually made sales. Here, a company that primarily does business in 4 counties is able to show that they are a California service and may enforce a covenant not to compete in any and all 58 counties in California.
Citation:	C055192
WCC Citation:	WCC 33142008 CA

Case Name:	Allied Interstate, Inc. v. GTS Home Health Services, Inc.		02/14/2013
Summary:	ALLIED INTERSTATE, INC. v. GTS HOME HEALTH SERVICES, INC. ALLIED INTERSTATE, INC. , Plaintiff and Respondent, v. GTS HOME HEALTH SERVICES, INC. , Defendant and Appellant. Defendant and appellant GTS Home Health Services, Inc. (GTS) appeals an order denying its motion to vacate a default judgment obtained by plaintiff and respondent Allied Interstate, Inc. (Allied). Thereafter, on July 28, 2010, the summons, complaint and related documents were mailed to GTS at the same location. Thereafter, on December 7, 2010, following a default proveup by Allied, the trial court entered a default judgment against GTS. On June 1, 2011, nearly six months after entry of the default judgment, GTS filed a motion to vacate the judgment.
Note:	A home health care provider which admitted having received a copy of the summons and complaint filed by the assignee of a State Compensation Insurance Fund debt was not entitled to have the default judgment against it vacated on the basis of improper service.
Citation:	B237823
WCC Citation:	WCC 39872013 CA

Case Name:	Allied Interstate, Inc. v. Sessions Payroll Management, Inc.		02/16/2012
Summary:	ALLIED INTERSTATE, INC. v. SESSIONS PAYROLL MANAGEMENT, INC. ALLIED INTERSTATE, INC. , Plaintiff and Respondent, v. SESSIONS PAYROLL MANAGEMENT, INC. , Defendant and Appellant. The payroll operations continued under the dba Sessions Payroll Management until 2008, at which time Heffernan returned Sessions to Knight's ownership. The policy identified "Sessions Payroll Management, Inc. " as the insured, stated it covered Sessions' liability to its employees, not "the liability of any [other] employer," and obligated Sessions to inform SCIF immediately when the information contained in the declarations regarding Sessions' operations was no longer accurate. *fn4 To determine the experience rating applicable to the policy, SCIF forwarded Sessions' payroll and operations information to the Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (the Rating Bureau). Garcia met with Heffernan and Guido Dito, Sessions' risk manager, examined the company's payroll, employment, and insurance records, and reported her findings to SCIF.
Note:	State Compensation Insurance Fund properly applied a 121% experience modifier to a Burbank payroll company that serves the movie industry.
Citation:	B226134
WCC Citation:	WCC 38592012 CA

Case Name:	Allied Waste Industries, et al. v. WCAB (Rojas)		12/06/2010
Summary:	ALLIED WASTE INDUSTRIES, INC. , et al. Petitioners, v. WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARD and ROGELIO ROJAS, Respondents. FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS Rogelio Rojas (applicant) was seriously injured while working as a garbage truck driver for petitioner Allied Waste Industries, Inc. The ALJ ordered additional medical treatment for applicant and awarded counsel a total of $386,515. 32 in attorney fees. However, the Board rejected respondent's challenge to the COLA calculation, concluding that it too was constrained by the Duncan decision. DISCUSSION Before embarking on our analysis of petitioner's claim, we briefly review some fundamentals of the workers' compensation system.
Note:	A claimant's cost-of-living adjustments should not begin until the January 1 following his date of injury.
Citation:	C064914
WCC Citation:	WCC 36872010 CA

Case Name:	Allison v. WCAB		05/27/1999
Summary:	OPINION CROSKEY, J. - Petitioner Carol Allison (Allison) seeks relief from an order of a workers' compensation judge which directed her to answer deposition questions relating to her general past medical history. Factual and Procedural Background Allison is the applicant in the worker's compensation case entitled Allison v. Del Amo Mobile Homes Estates and bearing case No. POM 234030, which is pending before the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB). While Allison was recuperating from surgery to her wrist, Del Amo noticed her deposition, which was taken in December 1997. Allison then filed a petition for removal to the WCAB pursuant to section 5310 fn. He argued that without a final order as to admissibility, no irreparable harm or prejudice to Allison [72 Cal. App. 4th 659] has occurred, and he recommended against removal to the WCAB.
Note:	WCJ's have authority to hear and rule on discovery disputes.
Citation:	72 Cal.App.4th 654, 64 CCC 624
WCC Citation:	WCC 26011999 CA

Case Name:	Almaraz v. Environmental Recovery Services (II)		09/03/2009
Summary:	WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARD STATE OF CALIFORNIA Case No. ADJ1078163 (BAK 0145426) OPINION AND DECISION AFTER RECONSIDERATION (EN BANC) MARIO ALMARAZ, Applicant, vs. ENVIRONMENTAL RECOVERY SERVICES (a. k. a. ENVIROSERVE); and STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND, Defendant(s). BACKGROUND In the Almaraz case, applicant sustained a November 5, 2004 back injury, while employed as a truck driver. We granted reconsideration in both the Almaraz and Guzman cases and consolidated them for our February 3, 2009 en banc decision. In both Almaraz and Guzman, we invited any interested person or entity to file and serve an amicus curiae brief by May 1. For the foregoing reasons, IT IS ORDERED, as the Decision After Reconsideration of the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (en banc) in Almaraz v. Environmental Recovery Services, Case No. ADJ1078163 (BAK 0145426), that the Findings of Fact and Award of April 23, 2008 is AMENDED such that Findings of Fact Nos.
Note:	[En Banc] The language of Labor Code section 4660(c) unambiguously means that a permanent disability rating established by the Schedule is rebuttable.
Citation:	ADJ1078163
WCC Citation:	WCC 35632009 CA

Case Name:	Almaraz vs. Environmental Recovery Services (SCIF); Guzman vs. Milpitas Unified School Dist (Keenan)		02/03/2009
Summary:	OPINION AND DECISION AFTER RECONSIDERATION (EN BANC) ===================== Case No.    ADJ3341185 (SJO 0254688) JOYCE GUZMAN, Applicant, vs. MILPITAS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, Permissibly Self-Insured; and KEENAN & ASSOCIATES, Adjusting Agent, Defendant(s). The Almaraz Case Applicant, Mario Almaraz, sustained an admitted industrial injury to his back on November 5, 2004, while employed as a truck driver by Environmental Recovery Services (a. k. a. Enviroserve), insured by defendant, State Compensation Insurance Fund. The Guzman Case Applicant, Joyce Guzman, sustained an admitted industrial injury to her bilateral upper extremities during a cumulative period ending on April 11, 2005, while employed as a secretary by defendant, the Milpitas Unified School District (adjusted by Keenan & Associates). In accordance with the discussion above, we specifically conclude that the AMA Guides portion of the 2005 Schedule is rebuttable. For the foregoing reasons, IT IS ORDERED that Almaraz v. Environmental Recovery Services, Case No. ADJ1078163 (BAK 0145426), and Guzman v. Milpitas Unified School District, Case No. ADJ3341185 (SJO 0254688), are CONSOLIDATED for the limited purpose of issuing a joint opinion.
Note:	(1) the AMA Guides portion of the 2005 Schedule is rebuttable; (2) the AMA Guides portion of the 2005 Schedule is rebutted by showing that an impairment rating based on the AMA Guides would result in a permanent disability award that would be inequitable, disproportionate, and not a fair and accurate measure of the employees permanent disability; and (3) when an impairment rating based on the AMA Guides has been rebutted, the WCAB may make an impairment determination that considers medical opinions that are not based or are only partially based on the AMA Guides.
Citation:	ADJ1078163 (BAK 0145426); ADJ3341185 (SJO 0254688)
WCC Citation:	WCC 34892009 CA

Case Name:	Alonzo v. Brennan		08/24/2011
Summary:	SHAWNA ALONZO, Plaintiff and Respondent, v. CASEY BEAR BRENNAN et al. , Defendants and Appellants. At the time of the accident, Alonzo was employed by Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). The ambulance was being operated by defendants Casey Bear Brennan and Filyn Corporation, doing business as Lynch Ambulance. TRM alleged that CHOC was self-insured for workers' compensation benefits, and that Alonzo was injured as a result of defendants' negligent operation of the ambulance in which she was riding, requiring CHOC to provide benefits to Alonzo. Alonzo's attorney submitted a declaration in support of the motion, indicating that his firm had a 40 percent contingency fee agreement with Alonzo.
Note:	A hospital employee is entitled to $38,169 in attorney fees because she prevailed in a third-party suit that also helped her employer.
Citation:	B222327
WCC Citation:	WCC 37922011 CA

Case Name:	Alvarez v. Seaside Transportation Services LLC		07/20/2017
Summary:	Filed 7/20/17 CERTIFIED FOR PUBLICATION IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT DIVISION EIGHT .             BERNIE ALVAREZ, Plaintiff and Appellant, .             v. .             SEASIDE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES LLC et al. , Defendants and Respondents. .             B275980 .             (Los Angeles County Super. .             Plaintiff and appellant Bernie Alvarez was injured at work when he drove a maintenance van into a shipping container. Evergreen contracted with Marine Terminals Corporation dba Ports America (Ports America), Seaside Transportation Services, LLC (Seaside), and PCMC to provide services at the terminal. * .           WE CONCUR: .           FLIER, J.
Note:
Citation:	B275980
WCC Citation:	Los Angeles County Super. Ct. No. BC538128