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May 05, 2016

California: Labor Code Section 4662 and Vocational Experts

Labor Code Section 4662 was modified by the legislature in AB 1847 in 2014. Contrary to popular belief, it was not amended in SB 863. The older version of Section 4662, adopted in 2007, created the conclusive presumption of permanent total disability as follows...
March 09, 2016

Vocational Expert Opinion Did Not Support 100 Percent Permanent Disability: Cal. Comp. Cases March Advanced Postings (3/9/2016)

Here’s the latest batch of advanced postings for the March 2016 issue of Cal. Comp. Cases. Lexis.com and Lexis Advance subscribers can link to the case to read the complete headnotes and summaries. © Copyright 2016 LexisNexis. All rights reserved...
December 03, 2015

California: The Limited Use of Vocational Rehabilitation Evidence: The Shape of Things to Come Under Dahl

In Mesanovic v. Specialty Termite , 2015 Cal. Wrk. Comp. P.D. LEXIS --, the WCAB affirmed the WCJ’s finding that the applicant carpenter who suffered an industrial injury to his low back and psyche on 7/13/2007 did not rebut the diminished future earning...
March 18, 2015

California: Vocational Experts and Apportionment

The Exception to Defendant’s Burden of Proof on Apportionment One of the most frequent issues pending before the WCAB lately has been how to handle apportionment to significant non-industrial causes when the applicant has successfully rebutted the Diminished...
February 24, 2015

A is for Apportionment: How It Can Make or Break Your Case

Karen C. Yotis, Esq., a Feature Resident Columnist for the LexisNexis Workers’ Compensation eNewsletter , provides insights into workplace issues and the nuts and bolts of the workers’ comp world. It’s been a full decade since the 2004 enactment...
August 29, 2014

Deposition Procedures Not Required for Vocational Expert Interviews: Cal. Comp. Cases September Advanced Postings (8/29/2014)

Here’s the first batch of advanced postings for September 2014 issue of Cal. Comp. Cases. Lexis.com and Lexis Advance subscribers can link to the case to read the complete headnotes and summaries. © Copyright 2014 LexisNexis. All rights reserved...
June 12, 2014

Deputy Sheriff Found 100 Percent Disabled in Dueling Vocational Experts Case: Cal. Comp. Cases June Advanced Postings (6/12/2014)

Here are the second and third batches of advanced postings for the June 2014 issue of Cal. Comp. Cases. Lexis.com and Lexis Advance subscribers can link to the case to read the complete headnotes and summaries. © Copyright 2014 LexisNexis. All rights reserved...
May 29, 2014

Inability to Tolerate Sound Did Not Equate to Total Inability to Work Again: Cal. Comp. Cases June Advanced Postings (5/29/2014)

Here’s the first batch of advanced postings for the June 2014 issue of Cal. Comp. Cases. Lexis.com and Lexis Advance subscribers can link to the case to read the complete headnotes and summaries. © Copyright 2014 LexisNexis. All rights reserved....
March 27, 2014

Battle of Applicant and Defense Vocational Experts: Cal. Comp. Cases April Advanced Postings (3/26/2014)

Here’s the first batch of advanced postings for the April 2014 issue of Cal. Comp. Cases. Lexis.com and Lexis Advance subscribers can link to the case to read the complete headnotes and summaries . © Copyright 2014 LexisNexis. All rights reserved...
March 25, 2014

California: Presenting Evidence of the Vocational Expert Post SB 863

Rebuttal of an injured worker’s “strict” permanent disability rating has consistently been one of the hottest topics in recent case law. See Milpitas v. WCAB (Guzman) (2010) 75 Cal. Comp. Cases 837 (lexis.com), 75 Cal. Comp. Cases 837 (Lexis Advance...
February 14, 2014

Black Mold Aggravates Applicant’s Pre-Existing Asthma: Cal. Comp. Cases February Advanced Postings (2/13/2014)

Here’s the latest batch of advanced postings for the February 2014 issue of Cal. Comp. Cases. Lexis.com and Lexis Advance subscribers can link to the case to read the complete headnotes and summaries. © Copyright 2014 LexisNexis. All rights reserved...
February 08, 2014

California: A New Year With New Rules and New Responsibilities

The Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) has rung in the New Year with new rules, new regulations and new responsibilities for all participants in the workers’ compensation community. It is important to be cognizant of all the changes and to realize...
November 23, 2013

Vocational Expert Failed to Conduct Research or Labor Market Survey: Cal. Comp. Cases December Advanced Postings (11/22/2013)

Here’s the first batch of advanced postings for the December 2013 issue of Cal. Comp. Cases. Lexis.com and Lexis Advance subscribers can link to the case to read the complete headnotes and summaries. © Copyright 2013 LexisNexis. All rights reserved...
September 20, 2013

Lien Activation Fees En Banc Decision Denied Writ: Cal. Comp. Cases September Advanced Postings (9/20/2013)

Here’s another batch of advanced postings for the September 2013 issue of Cal. Comp. Cases. Lexis.com and Lexis Advance subscribers can link to the case to read the complete headnotes and summaries. © Copyright 2013 LexisNexis. All rights reserved...
August 10, 2013

California: Appellate Court Publishes Opinion Reversed PTD Award Without Apportionment

The Court of Appeal 1st District) has issued an opinion reversing a 100% award for an employee where the Court determined the WCJ and W.C.A.B. ignored substantial evidence of apportionment and remanded the case back to the W.C.A.B. to more fully consider that specific...