Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board must state the evidence relied on and the reasons for its decision

• Posted By: Harvey Brown
• September 1, 2017

This is a published decision of the court of appeal

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

The applicant suffered a psychiatric injury. The Qualified Medical Examiner (QME) found the injury did not cause any permanent disability. The QME indicated he could not determine temporary disability. However, he indicated she could return to work with a reasonable accommodation. The employer refused to accommodate her work restriction.

The Workers’ Compensation Judge (WCJ) found no permanent disability and that the applicant failed to prove any period of temporary disability.

The Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) agreed with the WCJ and denied the applicant’s petition for reconsideration. The applicant filed a writ with the court of appeal. The WCAB wrote a letter brief to the court of appeal indicating it made an error in the case and asked that its opinion be annulled and remanded.

The court of appeal recognized that the WCAB admitted that it did not review all available legal theories to the applicant. If the employer denied modified work then the applicant might be temporarily disabled.

Therefore, the original decision did not state the evidence relied on and the reasons for its decision. The WCAB did not review in sufficient detail refusal to provide modified worker so the case is remanded.

Case: Singh v. WCAB

• Posted In: Disability, Petition