Lumpkin, Leenett

Applicant Leenett Lumpkin, an unrepresented former cook for the County of Monterey, settled her 2010 workers' compensation claim (lumbar spine and psyche) via a Compromise and Release for $429,000 executed on February 19, 2020. She contended that an alleged oral side agreement with her then-attorney, Jason Redula, entitled her to additional sums beyond the documented $1,000 attorney-fee reduction. After trial, the WCJ found no entitlement to additional money because the oral side agreement was not memorialized in writing and was superseded by the executed written agreements under Civil Code section 1625. Applicant petitioned for reconsideration alleging bias by the WCJ. The Board adopted the WCJ's Report and denied both the Petition for Reconsideration and the Petition for Disqualification, finding the bias allegations were unsupported by specific facts declared under penalty of perjury.