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PanelMed-legalDenied

Ruiz, Richard

RICHARD RUIZ, Applicant vs. COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES PROBATION NO. 640, permissibly self-insured; administered by SEDGWICK CMS, Defendants

ADJ number: ADJ19060002
Decision date: Jan 19, 2026
District office: Van Nuys
WCJ: Diane Bancroft
Claim administrator: Sedgwick CMS
Commissioners: —

Injury / body parts: left elbow, left shoulder, psyche (deferred)

LC §5909LC §5900LC §3351LC §5705LC §3600LC §3202.5LC §4551LC §3660LC §3600(a)(8)LC §3600(a)(2)CCR §10600CCR §10759CCR §10759(b)(2)

Summary

Richard Ruiz, a Supervising Detention Services Officer employed by the County of Los Angeles for over 30 years, sustained injury to his left elbow and left shoulder on February 18, 2024, after being handcuffed and detained for an hour and 20 minutes during a workplace investigation regarding cold medication he brought to the facility. The WCJ found the injury arose out of and occurred in the course of employment (AOE/COE) and deferred the psyche claim. Defendant sought reconsideration, arguing the applicant was taken out of the course of employment when handcuffed during an investigation, while clarifying it was not raising any affirmative defense. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration, adopting the WCJ's Report and finding that the applicant was on the premises during work hours participating in an employer-directed investigation, easily satisfying both prongs of the AOE/COE analysis. The Board characterized the defendant's position as 'without merit and borders on frivolous.'

Issues

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Holding

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Analysis

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Applicant takeaway

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Defense takeaway

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Provider takeaway

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Similar decisions

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Full case search with summaries, PDFs, holdings, and filters is included with Member. This block is a decorative placeholder so the page layout is visible without exposing restricted text. Sign in or subscribe to Member to read the complete decision. The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties. Member is $25/month or $250/year and includes the weekly email digest, full case search, and bookmarks.

Full case search with summaries, PDFs, holdings, and filters is included with Member. This block is a decorative placeholder so the page layout is visible without exposing restricted text. Sign in or subscribe to Member to read the complete decision. The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties. Member is $25/month or $250/year and includes the weekly email digest, full case search, and bookmarks.

Full case search with summaries, PDFs, holdings, and filters is included with Member. This block is a decorative placeholder so the page layout is visible without exposing restricted text. Sign in or subscribe to Member to read the complete decision. The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties. Member is $25/month or $250/year and includes the weekly email digest, full case search, and bookmarks.

Full case search with summaries, PDFs, holdings, and filters is included with Member. This block is a decorative placeholder so the page layout is visible without exposing restricted text. Sign in or subscribe to Member to read the complete decision. The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties. Member is $25/month or $250/year and includes the weekly email digest, full case search, and bookmarks.

Full case search with summaries, PDFs, holdings, and filters is included with Member. This block is a decorative placeholder so the page layout is visible without exposing restricted text. Sign in or subscribe to Member to read the complete decision. The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties. Member is $25/month or $250/year and includes the weekly email digest, full case search, and bookmarks.

Full case search with summaries, PDFs, holdings, and filters is included with Member. This block is a decorative placeholder so the page layout is visible without exposing restricted text. Sign in or subscribe to Member to read the complete decision. The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties. Member is $25/month or $250/year and includes the weekly email digest, full case search, and bookmarks.

Full case search with summaries, PDFs, holdings, and filters is included with Member. This block is a decorative placeholder so the page layout is visible without exposing restricted text. Sign in or subscribe to Member to read the complete decision. The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties. Member is $25/month or $250/year and includes the weekly email digest, full case search, and bookmarks.