WCPanelIQ
PanelQMEMed-legalGranted

Shafer, Charles

CHARLES SHAFER, Applicant vs. MARIN RESOURCE RECOVERY CENTER and ALASKA NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY, Defendants

ADJ number
ADJ13053362
Decision date
Nov 30, 2023
District office
Oakland
WCJ
—
Claim administrator
Alaska National Insurance Company
Commissioners
JOSEPH V. CAPURRO, COMMISSIONER, KATHERINE A. ZALEWSKI, CHAIR

Injury / body parts: neck, shoulders, back, knee, left shoulder, left wrist, right arm/elbow, lower extremity/knee-patella, bilateral knees

LC §5909LC §5900LC §5902LC §5903LC §5952CCR §10945

Summary

Applicant Charles Shafer claimed multiple industrial injuries (neck, shoulders, back, knees, right arm/elbow) across four claims while working as a superintendent/supervisor. The WCJ awarded temporary disability indemnity beginning February 21, 2022 and found applicant was not barred from TD despite failing to attend a Functional Capacity Evaluation. Defendant sought reconsideration/removal, arguing the QME reports of Dr. Jonathan Rutchik were not substantial evidence on temporary disability. The Board found Dr. Rutchik's opinion that applicant was TTD from February 2022—after previously finding applicant MMI—was conclusory and lacked reasoning explaining the change in opinion, and therefore did not constitute substantial evidence under Escobedo. The Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the F&A, and returned the matter to the WCJ to develop the record by obtaining a supplemental report from Dr. Rutchik.

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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