Court of Appeal reviews required vehicle exception to the going and coming rule

This is a published decision of the court of appeal

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

The applicant was an in-home caretaker for the department of Social Services. She was paid every two weeks for all work performed. She was not paid for transportation between locations.

On the date of injury she finished her first assignment and was riding her bike to the second assignment when she was involved in a car accident. The employer denied the claim.

The claim was heard on only the issues of employment and AOE-COE. The Workers’ Compensation Judge (WCJ) found the claim compensable because the required vehicle exception applied to the going and coming rule.

The Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) ruled the claim was barred by the going and coming rule.

When a writ was filed the WCAB filed a brief stating that they were incorrect and the required vehicle exception applied. However the employer still disputed this.

The appeals court gives one of the best summaries of this line of cases. They review Hinojosa but indicate this is directed to a commute between home and work. They then review cases where the employee is required to commute between job sites. They indicated that transiting between job sites was part and parcel of her job and therefore, compensable.


Applicant NFL player allowed to file a cumulative trauma and statute of limitations was tolled even though he had prior cases

This is a Writ Denied Case

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

This is a very unusual case for workers’ compensation purposes. Defendants rarely win a statute of limitations defense. This was a case where the defendant did not win even though applicant was represented in the past for specific injuries.

The applicant was a professional football player for the Miami Dolphins. He filed a cumulative trauma. Defendant never gave applicant notice of this workers’ compensation rights under the Reynold’s case.

The applicant did not learn of his right to file a cumulative trauma until he attended a retired players conference in 2010. He had been represented by attorney’s in previous specific injuries more than one year before he filed the cumulative trauma. He only had basic and general knowledge of his workers’ compensation rights.

The Workers’ Compensation Board (WCAB) determined that his earlier cases did not involve Labor Code section 5405. They indicated that no evidence was presented to show he had been informed of the statute of limitations in the earlier cases. The defendant did not show in the present case that the applicant had actual knowledge of the time limit for filing his workers compensation case more than one year before the claim at issue was filed. The WCAB indicated he needed actual knowledge and therefore the statute was tolled.


Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board decides what is a “violent act” for a psychiatric claim

This is a decision of The Workers Compensation Appeals Board

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

The applicant had an admitted injury to her neck, back and shoulders when she was struck by a car in a parking lot. She also alleged a psychiatric injury to this accident.

The defendant alleged that the psychiatric component of the injury is not compensable under Labor Code section 4660.1 (c). Defendant contended that being struck by a car is not a “violent act” which is necessary under the code for the psychiatric injury to be compensable. Defendant contended that a “violent act” has to be either criminal or quasi-criminal violence to be compensable.

The WCAB in this opinion and order denying petition for reconsideration reviewed Labor Code section 3208.3 as well as 4660.1 (c). The WCAB determined that being struck by a car was a “violent act” within the meaning of the statutes.

They concluded that for the purpose of Labor Code section 3208.3 a “violent act” is not limited to just a criminal or quasi-criminal act.

The definition of “violent act” may include acts of strong physical force, intense or extreme force, or are “vehemently or passionately threatening”.

Therefore, in this case the applicant was awarded a psychiatric injury in addition to the physical injuries.


Applicant awarded benefits while working at home of defendant who was growing marijuana at his residence

This is a decision denied judicial review

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

The applicant was hired by the defendant to perform household services including cooking, cleaning and construction projects at the defendant’s residence. The applicant was also hired to do tasks with the defendant’s illegal marijuana cultivation business. The applicant was paid $500 a week plus room and board.

The applicant was shot by an intruder and was paralyzed. He filed for workers’ compensation benefits against the uninsured homeowner.

The uninsured employers fund contended the applicant should not receive benefits because defendant was involved in an illegal business. Defendant was charged with a felony but charges were dismissed.

Since the applicant performed services within the home of the defendant he was covered under Labor code section 3351 (d). It was a legal employment relationship and fell within scope of Labor Code section 3600. The applicant was never implicated in any illegal activities.

The Worker’ Compensation Judge (WCJ) and Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) decided that the applicant would have been covered as a residential employee by the defendant’s home owner policy if he had one under section 3351(d). Therefore, the uninsured employers fund was liable.


Independent contractor vs employee decided in case involving nurses

This is a Court of Appeal unpublished case

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

A nursing registry provided hospitals with temporary nurses at the hospitals’ requests. After the registry receives the request the registry offers the assignment to nurses. The nurses are free to reject the assignment.

The nurse provides the uniform, shoes, stethoscope, etc. When the nurse completes the assignment the hospital pays the registry who in turn pays the nurse.

The registry allows the nurse to determine whether they wish to be an employee or an independent contractor. If the Nurse chooses to be an independent contractor they are provided with Internal Revenue Service form 1099.

The insurance company insuring the registry challenged whether the nurses were independent contractors. They lost at trial and appealed. They lost on appeal also.

The appellate court looked at Borello & Sons v. Dept. of Industrial Relations. The most important factor being who controlled the manner and means of the workers’ performance. The other factors include right to discharge at will; whether the worker is in a distinctive occupation; if the work is accomplished without specialist supervision; skill required; who supplies the tools; method of payment; whether the parties believe they are creating an employer-employee relationship.


Court of Appeal case on professional athlete filed seventeen years after the cumulative trauma

This is a Court of Appeal published case

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

The applicant filed a cumulative trauma injury as a professional athlete from 1981 to 1984 in 2011. The applicant was a member of the New York Knickerbockers an out of state basketball team.

The applicant played games in California and played preseason games for the Los Angles Clippers. He first learned of his right to file Workers’ Compensation benefits in 2011.

The Workers’ Compensation Judge (WCJ) found the applicant suffered a cumulative trauma to his back. The WCJ determined the Statute of Limitations and the Doctrine of Laches did not apply due to the applicant not being advised of his rights. The applicant was given a 76 percent disability.

The Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) affirmed the WCJ and concluded there was no denial of due process in exerting subject matter jurisdiction over the applicant.

On appeal the defendant filed an unverified petition for Writ of Review. After oral argument the court let the defendant file the verified petition. It was also argued the appeal was filed in the wrong district. The court indicated that filing in the wrong district is not a jurisdictional defect.

The appellate court indicated California had a legitimate interest over the applicant’s injuries and affirmed benefits. It was remanded to award attorney fees for defendant filing the petition for review.


Defendant denied right to cross-examine applicant is denied “due process of law”

This is a published appellate court case

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

The applicant had an admitted injury to the right ankle, right hand and back. These injuries were admitted. The applicant also alleged a psychiatric injury that was denied. There were multiple hearings before the Workers’ Compensation Judge (WCJ).

At the first hearing on whether the applicant was temporarily disabled the applicant admitted to working from time to time. The defendant’s cross-examination was terminated over the defendant’s objection. The defendant filed for reconsideration and the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) denied reconsideration.

There were three more hearings and the applicant was eventually found permanently and totally disabled. The applicant refused to testify at all three of the hearings. The WCJ did not allow the defendant to cross- examine the applicant at each hearing. The defendant filed for reconsideration after each hearing indicating that it was “denied due process”. Each time the WCAB agreed with the WCJ.

The appellate court indicated that cross-examination is an element of a fair trial. The lack of cross-examination was prejudicial. Therefore, the WCAB decision was annulled.


An employee of an uninsured independent contractor can collect Workers’ Compensation

This is a non published appellate court case

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

A homeowner hired a Tree Care service to remove a tree and trim four other trees. The owner of the tree service was not licensed. He advertised on Yelp that he was bonded and insured. He did not have workers’ compensation insurance.

The owner of the tree service showed up at the homeowners property with a worker to do the work. The homeowner did not know the tree service owner brought a worker to assist.

The worker fell 10 feet off a ladder injuring himself. The injured worker brought a civil suit. The homeowner moved for summary judgment claiming the injured worker was not his employee but an independent contractor.

The summary judgment was granted. The superior court indicated that the homeowner was vicariously liable because the tree service owner did not secure workers’ compensation insurance. They ruled an employee of a negligent contractor can recover under the workers’ compensation system even if the contractor is uninsured. The injured worker can recover against the homeowner.

The court looked at Labor Code section 2750.5 and still ruled the injured worker was an employee of an uninsured independent contractor. Therefore, the homeowner was liable under the workers’ compensation system.


Alleging Psychiatric injury for first time on Petition for New and Further Disability

This is an Opinion and Order Granting Reconsideration

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

The applicant had an admitted injury. The applicant entered into a Stipulated Award for orthopedic body parts in 2011. Thereafter, the applicant filed a timely Petition to Reopen. The applicant alleged new and further disability, including the need for psychiatric care. This was the first time psychiatric care was alleged.

The case went to trial. The defendant alleged the claim was barred by the doctrine of res judicata. They also alleged that the injury is not a new and further disability. Defendant claimed the applicant knew of the psychiatric injury at the time of the original stipulation and there was not good cause to reopen.

The Workers’ Compensation Judge (WCJ) found the psychiatric injury compensable. Defendant filed a petition for reconsideration. This opinion is in response to that. The Workers” Compensation Appeals Board indicated that a psychiatric condition does not fall within the workers compensation system until it causes either disability or a need for treatment and it is diagnosed. It was error for the WCJ to find the psychiatric injury AOE-COE. Instead the psychiatric injury is a compensable consequence of the original injury. It was not a new and independent injury.


A non published case ruling that there was no 132 (a) violation and the decision was res judicata

This is a non-published case of the Court of Appeal

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

The applicant had an admitted injury. The applicant was on temporary disability and then returned to work. The applicant then went off work again. The employer disputed whether this was industrial. The applicant returned to work and was suspended from work pending an investigation as to her absence.

The applicant was eventually terminated and filed a claim for discrimination under Labor Code section 132(a).

There was a Compromise and Release. The applicant went to trial on the 132(a) claim and the Workers’ Compensation Judge (WCJ) found in the applicant’s favor and ordered the defendant to reinstate the applicant.

The employer filed a petition for reconsideration and the WCJ reversed his prior ruling. The applicant filed for reconsideration but the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) agreed with the WCJ and denied the petition. The applicant did not file for review with the Court of Appeal within 45 days.

The applicant made a request for reinstatement when she had already been terminated. Therefore, no employment relationship existed.

They discuss the Lauher case and the reason she did not file timely for writ. They indicate that just because the applicant was unrepresented they cannot violate jurisdictional rules and the case was res judicata. Therefore, there was no 132(a) claim.


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