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Case Name: Save Mart STores vs. WCAB (Gwin) 02/14/1992
Summary: SAVE MART STORES, Petitioner, v. WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARD and JULIE GWIN, Respondents. However, Save Mart contends that the decision of the Board that Gwin was therefore a qualified injured worker is not supported by substantial [3 Cal. App. 4th 724] evidence. Save Mart argues that there was no medical evidence presented to establish that Gwin was incapable of returning to work as an administrative assistant at Save Mart, so long as she was not under the supervision of Jerry Sauer. Save Mart alleges that other positions were available for Gwin within the company. In the order, it was noted that no response to the request had been received from the employer (Save Mart).
Note: One is not a qualified injured worker merely because of an inability to coexist with other workers or supervisors, so long as an equivalent position is available at the same place of employment.
Citation: 3 CA4th 720
WCC Citation: WCC 30281992 CA
 
 
Case Name: Save Mart v. WCAB 01/11/2008
Summary: Save Mart Supermarkets (Save Mart) petitions for a writ of review (Lab. A Save Mart claims adjuster advised both Young and Dr. Schroeder's staff that same day that Save Mart would not authorize payment to Dr. Schroeder because Young was required to use an employer-approved doctor during the first 30 days of her September 21, 2002, fall. Even if, as Save Mart alleges, Young's misdemeanor plea resulted from her deposition testimony as opposed to the history she provided to Dr. Allende at the FIRM, Save Mart again fails to point to any misstatement she provided to Dr. Curran. Attorney Fees Relating to Save Mart's Application for Adjudication Concluding Young had complied with Save Mart's directives, the WCAB adopted the WCJ's award of attorney fees in favor of Young arising out of Save Mart's application for adjudication. Save Mart contends section 4064, subdivision (c) is inapplicable here because Young filed an initial application for adjudication before Save Mart filed a subsequent application for adjudication disputing the recommendations of Drs.
Note: [Unpublished] Substantial evidence is relevant evidence that a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion. In the present case, the WCAB's decision was both reasonable and based on substantial evidence.
Citation: F053535
WCC Citation: WCC 32992008 CA
 
 
Case Name: Scalice v. Perf. Cleaning Sys. 10/24/1996
Summary: WILLIAM SCALICE, Plaintiff and Appellant, v. PERFORMANCE CLEANING SYSTEMS, Defendant and Respondent. OPINION DOSSEE, J. William Scalice obtained a judgment against Performance Cleaning Systems for injuries caused by a fall at work on a slippery floor which Performance had maintained. The principal issue on appeal is the appropriate method of crediting workers' compensation payments against Performance's liability to Scalice under Proposition 51 (Civ. Performance answered the complaint, and affirmatively alleged negligence by Scalice and his employer, Safeway, and requested a credit against the verdict for sums Scalice had received as workers' compensation benefits. Scalice was found to be 0 percent [50 Cal. App. 4th 225] negligent, Safeway was 30 percent negligent, and Performance was 70 percent negligent.
Note: Defining 'serious and willful misconduct.'
Citation: 50 Cal.App.4th 221
WCC Citation: WCC 23981996 CA
 
 
Case Name: Scalice v. Performance Cleaning Systems 01/01/2001
Summary: WILLIAM SCALICE, Plaintiff and Appellant, v. PERFORMANCE CLEANING SYSTEMS, Defendant and Respondent. OPINION DOSSEE, J. William Scalice obtained a judgment against Performance Cleaning Systems for injuries caused by a fall at work on a slippery floor which Performance had maintained. Performance answered the complaint, and affirmatively alleged negligence by Scalice and his employer, Safeway, and requested a credit against the verdict for sums Scalice had received as workers' compensation benefits. Scalice was found to be 0 percent [50 Cal. App. 4th 225] negligent, Safeway was 30 percent negligent, and Performance was 70 percent negligent. The parties were given the opportunity to address the appropriate method of allocating the credit to Performance for workers' compensation payments received by Scalice.
Note: Defining
Citation: 50 Cal.App.4th 221
WCC Citation: WCC 24002001 CA
 
 
Case Name: Scharf v. Calvary Chapel of Temecula Valley et al. 02/04/2013
Summary: SCHARF v. CALVARY CHAPEL OF TEMECULA VALLEY DENNIS SCHARF et al. , Plaintiffs and Appellants, v. CALVARY CHAPEL OF TEMECULA VALLEY et al. , Defendants and Respondents. Daley & Heft, Lee H. Roistacher and Mitchell D. Dean for Defendants and Respondents Calvary Chapel of Temecula Valley and Gary H. Nelson. INTRODUCTION Plaintiff and appellant Dennis Scharf sued defendants and respondents Calvary Chapel of Temecula Valley (Calvary), Donald Coop,*fn1 and Gary Nelson for damages after he was injured while performing work at Calvary. While Scharf was not a member of Calvary, he attended services on a weekly basis up to the time of the incident. Scharf v. Calvary Chapel of Temecula Valley et al. , E051885] RICHLI, J. , Concurring and Dissenting.
Note: A parishioner who injured himself while performing construction work for his church can sue the church and its pastor in tort.
Citation: E051885
WCC Citation: WCC 39822013 CA
 
 
Case Name: Schechter v. Nissanoff 02/20/2008
Summary: IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT DIVISION THREE HOLLINS SCHECHTER, APC, Plaintiff and Appellant, v. JONATHAN NISSANOFF et al. , Defendants and Respondents. *fn1 Hollins represented Jonathan Nissanoff, M. D. , and San Diego Advanced Orthopedic Center (collectively Nissanoff) "in the case [entitled] Nissanoff v. Arruda, et al. ; Arruda v. Nissanoff, et al" (the Arruda matter) from "approximately 2004 to 2006. "Nissanoff apparently failed to pay Hollins for its services and, in August 2006, Hollins filed a complaint against Nissanoff to recover unpaid legal fees. Day Eisenberg contended disqualification was unnecessary because Eisenberg did not act as counsel for Nissanoff while he worked at Hollins and because there was no similarity between the Arruda matter and Hollins's attempt to recover legal fees from Nissanoff. Hollins also submitted the declaration of a woman who stated she and Eisenberg had dinner with Nissanoff in 2004 where it was her "recollection that legal issues involving Nissanoff were discussed .
Note: [Unpublished] Eisenberg demonstrated, and the trial court found, he was not exposed to confidential information when he worked at Hollins. Accordingly, the denial of Hollins's motion to disqualify would have been proper under the modified substantial relationship test, which presumes access to confidential information.
Citation: G038436
WCC Citation: WCC 33202008 CA
 
 
Case Name: Scheffield Med. Grp., Inc. v. WCAB 03/15/1999
Summary: SCHEFFIELD MEDICAL GROUP, INC. , Petitioner, v. WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARD, CALIFORNIA INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY et al. , Respondents. Dr. Michael Wai-Pui Lam, owner of the three medical groups and licensed radiologist, testified on behalf of Scheffield. Scheffield petitioned for reconsideration, raising arguments reiterated in its petition for review and discussed in detail, post. [1] Scheffield first contends that the Board erred in applying the 1993 version of section 4628 when services were rendered in 1991 and 1992. Scheffield contends that the decision in Scheffield v. Workers' Comp.
Note: Findings of WCAB on questions of fact are conclusive/not subject to review if supported by substant. evidence.
Citation: 70 Cal.App.4th 868
WCC Citation: WCC 27111999 CA
 
 
Case Name: Scheftner v. Rio Linda School District 10/04/2004
Summary: Note: This opinion was overruled by Rio Linda Union School Dist. WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARD STATE OF CALIFORNIA JANELLE SCHEFTNER, Applicant, vs. RIO LINDA SCHOOL DISTRICT, Permissibly Self-Insured, Defendants. On July 19, 2004, the Appeals Board granted the petition for reconsideration filed by Rio Linda Union Elementary (defendant). He recommends that the matter be returned to him for this purpose only, but otherwise deny all other counts raised by defendant. "Existing order, decision or award" includes orders of closure of discovery at mandatory settlement conferences and orders of submission for decision.
Note: Submission orders and orders closing discovery that issued prior to the enactment of SB 899 are
Citation: 69 CCC 1281
WCC Citation: WCC 31092004 CA
 
 
Case Name: Scheftner vs. Rio Linda School District 10/04/2004
Summary: WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARD STATE OF CALIFORNIA Case No. SAC 0326274 JANELLE SCHEFTNER, Applicant, vs. RIO LINDA SCHOOL DISTRICT, Permissibly Self-Insured, Defendants. At trial on February 18, 2004, permanent disability and apportionment were listed as issues, among other issues, and applicant testified. On July 19, 2004, the Appeals Board granted the petition for reconsideration filed by Rio Linda Union Elementary (defendant). "Existing order, decision or award" includes orders of closure of discovery at mandatory settlement conferences and orders of submission for decision. Appeals Bd. , supra, 5 Cal. 4th at p. 387 [58 Cal. Comp. Cases at p. 289]; Atlantic Richfield Co. v. Workers' Comp.
Note: Submission orders and orders closing discovery, that issued prior to the enactment of SB 899 on April 19, 2004, are 'existing' orders that cannot be reopened due to the prohibition set forth in Section 47.
Citation: 68 CCC 1281; En Banc
WCC Citation: WCC 30312004 CA
 
 
Case Name: Schermerhorn v. Los Angeles Unified School Dist. 09/19/2008
Summary: Filed 9/19/08 Schermerhorn v. Los Angeles Unified School Dist. IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT DIVISION ONE ROBERT SCHERMERHORN, Plaintiff and Respondent, v. LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, Defendant and Appellant. Defendant Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) appeals from the judgment entered after a jury found that LAUSD failed to engage in a timely, good faith interactive process with plaintiff Robert Schermerhorn, an LAUSD employee with a physical disability, as required by Government Code section 12940, subdivision (n). Fischer told Schermerhorn that the decision on returning him to work was Dr. Bierer's to make, and he told Schermerhorn to meet again with Dr. Bierer, which Schermerhorn did. In January 2003, Schermerhorn again contacted Fischer, who said that he was waiting for Dr. Bierer to release Schermerhorn for work.
Note: [Unpublished] LAUSD had notice of (1) Schermerhorn's medical release to return to work, (2) his desire to return to work, and (3) his disability, as expressed in the listed work restrictions. Nothing more was required to trigger LAUSD's duty to offer a reasonable accommodation.
Citation: B196937
WCC Citation: WCC 34272008 CA
 
 
Case Name: Schlick v. Comco Mgt., Inc. 12/04/1987
Summary: GREGORY SCHLICK, Plaintiff and Appellant, v. COMCO MANAGEMENT, INC. , Defendant and Respondent (Opinion by Taylor, J. , with Sonenshine, Acting P. J. , and Crosby, J. , concurring. )I Gregory Schlick appeals a judgment of dismissal following the sustaining of a demurrer to his complaint without leave to amend. As a result of his employment, Schlick suffered many industrial injuries for which he filed claims with the board. While his claims before the board were pending, Schlick instituted this action against Comco Management, Inc. , the independent claims administrator for the City of Anaheim. Each count was based on Comco's alleged failure to pay Schlick workers' compensation benefits.
Note: WCAB has broad jurisdiction over rights, liabilities arising out of compensation.
Citation: 196 Cal.App.3d 974
WCC Citation: WCC 24271987 CA
 
 
Case Name: Scholar v. City of Chico 12/27/2011
Summary: WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARD STATE OF CALIFORNIA GARY SCHOLAR, Applicant, vs. CITY OF CHICO, Permissibly Self-Insured, Defendant. Applicant was a Division Chief in the Chico Fire Department, a position he held for over 20 years until his retirement in 2004. Applicant testified at trial that, at some point in 2004, he noticed a lump on the side of his neck. As applicant testified at trial regarding the results of the first fine needle biopsy, "They - they just said they couldn't tell. Dr. Heithecker referred the applicant to another otolaryngologist, James P. Lacey, M. D. Dr. Lacey performed the guided needle biopsy.
Note: A city of Chico firefighter's cancer claim was timely because his physicians never definitively informed him that he had neck cancer until 2008.
Citation: ADJ402198
WCC Citation: WCC 38442011 CA
 
 
Case Name: Schreifer v. Industrial Accident Comm'n 05/05/1964
Summary: SUPREME COURT OF CALIFORNIA L. A. No. 27656 May 5, 1964 DAVID D. SCHREIFER, PETITIONER, v. INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT COMMISSION, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ET AL. , RESPONDENTS PROCEEDING to review an order of the Industrial Accident Commission denying compensation for personal injuries. Peters [61 Cal2d Page 290] Applicant David Schreifer sought compensation from his employer, the County of Los Angeles, and its insurer, State Compensation Insurance Fund, for injuries suffered by him as a result of an automobile accident. The referee of the commission found that the accident arose out of the course and scope of the employment. While en route he was involved in an automobile accident in which he sustained the injuries here involved. He had not requested compensation for the use of his car on the date of the accident here involved.
Note: Special mission involves employer requiring something extraordinary in relation to employee's normal duties.
Citation: 61 Cal. 2d 289
WCC Citation: WCC 30381964 CA
 
 
Case Name: SCIF v. IAC (Aten) 02/01/1949
Summary: STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND et al. , Petitioners, v. INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT COMMISSION, MYLES J. ATEN et al. , Respondents. State Compensation Insurance Fund, petitioner herein, was the insurance carrier of the petitioner D. D. Dunlap, who was the employer of respondent Myles J. Aten. Thereafter the employee applied for adjustment of compensation, and on October 22, 1947, a hearing was had thereon. On October 24, 1947, the insurance carrier paid the employee $100 and on November 24, 1947, the remaining $125. Although the last hearing was held on October 22, 1947, the findings and award were not filed until January 26, 1948.
Note: Award annulled b/c attorney's fees already paid in full to employee.
Citation: 89 Cal.App.2d 821
WCC Citation: WCC 26701949 CA
 
 
Case Name: SCIF v. IAC (George) 05/17/1954
Summary: Petition for writ of review and annulment of portion of findings and order on apportionment. May the commission, on rehearing, after reviewing the record, make findings and order differing from its first findings and order, where no additional evidence is introduced?Petitioner State Compensation Insurance Fund and other compensation insurance carriers were subsequently joined as defendants. The period of employment at Empire Foundry he found to be 501 weeks instead of the 328 weeks previously found. We do not suggest a solution, but shall leave it to the Commission to settle the problem. '
Note: IAC, on rehearing, can change its prev. findings and order without further evidence, though no party complained of any finding.
Citation: 125 Cal.App.2d 201
WCC Citation: WCC 26951954 CA
 
 
Case Name: SCIF v. Sup. Crt. of LA County 08/24/2001
Summary: STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND, Petitioner, v. THE SUPERIOR COURT OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Respondent; THE PEOPLE, Real Party in Interest. Code, § 956) overrides any attorney-client privilege and the State Fund does not have standing to assert any privilege. State Fund specifically argued that the District Attorney had to make a prima facie showing of the crime/fraud exception (Evid. Code, § 956) to overcome the attorney-client privilege and could not rely on the sealed affidavit used to obtain the search warrant. The trial court reconsidered its prior ruling and stated: 'I realize that I do have a right to exercise .
Note: Employer cannot waive carrier's privilege; court must grant review if colorable claim made.
Citation: 91 Cal. App. 4th 1080
WCC Citation: WCC 28122001 CA
 
 
Case Name: SCIF v. Superior Court of San Francisco 02/23/2010
Summary: Filed 2/23/10 Ordered published by Supreme Court 5/20/10 IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT DIVISION FIVE STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND, Petitioner, v. THE SUPERIOR COURT OF SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY, Respondent; ONVOI BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, INC. , Real Party in Interest. The Fund contends the superior court erred by granting a motion for summary adjudication directed to a superseded pleading, and it seeks a peremptory writ of mandate compelling the superior court to set aside its order. Respondent superior court heard Onvoi's motion for summary adjudication on June 23, 2009. Two days after the superior court announced its ruling, Onvoi filed its answer to the Fund's amended complaint. Superior Court of the City and County of San Francisco, No. CGC07470352, Charlotte W. Woolard, Judge.
Note: The filing of an amended complaint moots a motion directed to a prior complaint.
Citation: A125834
WCC Citation: WCC 36262010 CA
 
 
Case Name: SCIF v. WCAB 03/28/2012
Summary: We therefore annul the decision of the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) and remand with instructions to deny Garcia's claim for psychiatric injury. SCIF petitioned the WCAB for reconsideration, contending that Garcia's injury was not the result of an extraordinary employment condition, but rather an ordinary occupational hazard of picking fruit while standing on a ladder. Even the WCAB majority acknowledged that this is "not particularly strong evidence on extraordinariness. "SCIF did not introduce evidence that such falls are an industry hazard or that insurance costs reflect that risk, but that was not its burden. DISPOSITION The order denying reconsideration is annulled, and the matter is remanded to the WCAB with instructions to deny Garcia's claim for psychiatric injury.
Note: A California agricultural worker was not entitled to compensation for his alleged psychiatric injuries resulting from his fall from a 24-foot ladder.
Citation: B235258
WCC Citation: WCC 38802012 CA
 
 
Case Name: SCIF v. WCAB (Adame) 11/01/1983
Summary: Richard W. Younkin, William B. Donohoe, Alvin R. Barrett, Banks, Leviton, Kelley, Drass & Kelsey and Mary Carol Scherb for Respondents. State Compensation Insurance Fund, the employer's workers' compensation carrier, petitioned the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) for reconsideration. There, the WCAB failed to specify reasons for disapproval of a posttrial compromise and release. Here, the WCAB did not generate a record in order to support its disapproval of the settlement of rehabilitation benefits. The matter is remanded to the WCAB for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
Note: Pre-trial C&R valid if record is sufficient for 'Thomas Finding'.
Citation: 148 Cal.App.3d 649
WCC Citation: WCC 27451983 CA
 
 
Case Name: SCIF v. WCAB (Asher) 11/04/1993
Summary: State Compensation Insurance Fund (petitioner) concedes Justin was a minor totally dependent upon decedent at the time of decedent's death. On December 13, 1990, widow and Justin filed an application for adjudication of claim, seeking death and other benefits. (1950) 98 Cal. App. 2d 741 [220 P. 2d 765], the court construed the term 'dependent minor children' to include dependent minor grandchildren. There is nothing in the language of section 4703. 5 or its legislative history that suggests a contrary legislative intent. Accordingly, Justin is a 'dependent minor child' within the meaning of section 4703. 5 and is entitled to a death benefit thereunder.
Note: Grandchild is a 'dependent minor child' within the meaning of section 4703.5 and is entitled to a death benefit thereunder.
Citation: 19 Cal.App.4th 1645
WCC Citation: WCC 25951993 CA
 
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