Niloofar Irani — ADJ14111846

Applicant Niloofar Irani, an eyebrow threader/hairstylist, claimed a continuous trauma injury to her bilateral upper extremities for the period 12/1/2014 through 1/14/2021. The AME, Dr. Ronald Perelman, opined in his 8/16/2021 report that her upper extremity complaints were related to a prior 2018 specific injury (a trip-and-fall, later settled by C&R) rather than a continuous trauma. Applicant challenged the report as not substantial medical evidence, asserting that no Farsi interpreter was present at her AME examination and that the examination lasted only 15-20 minutes. The WCJ found, based on declarations from the certified interpreter, One Call, and Dr. Perelman (including the interpreter's certification, driver's license, and signed pain questionnaire), that a certified Farsi interpreter was in fact present and that applicant either forgot or misstated the fact. The WCAB denied reconsideration, adopting the WCJ's report and relying on the AME's persuasive and neutral opinion under Power v. WCAB.