Shamsian, Eliza

Applicant Eliza Shamsian, a clinical psychologist for the County of Los Angeles, sustained stipulated industrial injuries to both wrists and hands from repetitive handwriting and keyboarding. After her treating physician imposed restrictions of 'no hand use,' the County offered a modified 'kiosk' position escorting juvenile detainees to therapy sessions that required no keyboarding or hand use. Applicant refused, citing pain from driving, fear of COVID-19 exposure during her commute, and the County's failure to provide previously recommended Dragonspeak dictation software. The WCJ found she was not entitled to temporary disability benefits from June 9, 2020 onward, concluding her refusal of suitable modified work was unreasonable. A divided Appeals Board (2-1) affirmed, holding that an employee who refuses modified work without good reason may be estopped from claiming temporary total disability, with Commissioner Snellings dissenting on the basis that the absence of Dragonspeak rendered the offer unreasonable.