Court of Appeal indicates that you can apportion to heredity and genetics

This is a published decision of the court of appeal

This is a very significant case for workers’ compensation principles.

The applicant was a police officer. He suffered an admitted cumulative trauma to his neck. He underwent neck surgery. The Qualified Medical Examiner (QME) indicated the applicant had cervical radiculopathy and cervical degenerative disc disease. The QME apportioned disability.

The QME referred to specific publications that indicate causation can be to genomics/genetics/heritable issues in terms on injury. The QME apportioned 49 percent to nonindustrial causation.

The Workers’ Compensation Judge (WCJ) determined that the apportionment was legal to genetic factors. The applicant petitioned for reconsideration. The Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) overruled the WCJ indicating that apportioning to genetics factors opens the door to apportioning to impermissible immutable factors.

The Court of Appeal disagreed in a great review of apportionment law. It indicated Zemke was superseded by Senate Bill 899. It then reviewed multiple cases including Escobedo. It reviewed section 4663. It reviewed what is substantial medical evidence. It indicated that the QME report found cervical radiculopathy and degenerative disc disease. It apportioned 49 percent to heredity, genomics, and other personal history factors. This was legal proper apportionment.

Case: City of Jackson v. WCAB (Rice)


Editor:
Harvey Brown
Address:
3501 Jamboree Rd. Suite 602
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Phone:
949-252-1300
Website:
www.sgvblaw.com

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