Lorenzana, Maria

Maria Lorenzana, a caregiver for Aegis Senior Communities, sustained a cumulative trauma injury (June 13, 2012 through July 7, 2022) to her right wrist, thumb, and fingers. The WCJ found 28% permanent disability based on the opinion of the primary treating physician, Dr. Adam Stoller, who included a rating for loss of grip strength. Defendant sought reconsideration, arguing Dr. Stoller's reporting was not substantial evidence, primarily challenging the inclusion of grip strength loss, a 2% pain add-on, telehealth evaluations, lack of ADL discussion, and missing records. The WCAB adopted the WCJ's Report and Recommendation, finding that because applicant's pain with gripping had subsided by the time of Dr. Stoller's July 2024 MMI exam, the grip loss rating was permissible under the AMA Guides, and that Dr. Stoller's opinion constituted substantial evidence. The Petition for Reconsideration was denied.