WCPanelIQ
PanelDenied

Vasquez, Cynthia

CYNTHIA VASQUEZ, Applicant vs. SABERT CORPORATION, Defendants

ADJ number
ADJ10677338
Decision date
Date unavailable
District office
Riverside District Office
WCJ
Jeffrey Wilson
Claim administrator
—
Commissioners
—

Injury / body parts: right upper extremity (arm), fingers, left hand, nervous system

LC §4553LC §4553.1CCR §3203CCR §3314CCR §4187

Summary

Cynthia Vasquez, a 54-year-old machine operator, suffered catastrophic admitted injury (loss of right upper extremity and partial amputation of left hand fingers) on October 24, 2016, while cleaning rollers on an extruder machine (CA3) that was running during the cleaning process. After the case in chief was resolved by Compromise and Release, applicant pursued additional benefits for serious and willful misconduct under Labor Code section 4553. The WCJ issued a Findings and Award on August 8, 2023, finding serious and willful misconduct based on testimony that prior roller malfunctions were reported to management without resolution, that Sabert departed from its own lockout/tagout safety policies and the manufacturer's instructions by requiring cleaning while rollers ran at maximum speed, and CAL/OSHA's citations (two deemed 'serious'). The WCAB denied Sabert's Petition for Reconsideration, adopting and incorporating the WCJ's Report and Opinion on Decision. Applicant was awarded a 50% increase in all compensation plus attorney fees.

Issues

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Holding

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Analysis

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Defense takeaway

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