Judge Sidesteps AMA Guide in Grover Beach Case

A Grover Beach worker's compensation judge last week awarded a 15% permanent partial disability to an injured caregiver who was rated a zero under the American Medical Association guide. Workers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge Michael LeCover issued his decision March 17 in the case of Veronica Navarro v. Arbor View Retirement Community, State Compensation Insurance Fund. Navarro's attorney, William Herreras, became the first applicant attorney to rebut the AMA guide, which took effect Jan. 1, 2005. In granting Navarro a 15% disability and a $13,050 cash benefit for lost-earnings cap...