Raheem, Olatunji

Applicant Olatunji Raheem, a union laborer track maintenance worker, claimed a left knee injury on September 30, 2023, which the City and County of San Francisco (self-insured) denied. A WCJ initially found applicant failed to prove injury AOE/COE, finding his trial testimony not credible because contemporaneous medical records did not support his described mechanism of injury (a 'snap/pop') and instead suggested an atraumatic injury or gout. On August 29, 2025, the WCAB granted applicant's petition for reconsideration and substituted findings that applicant sustained industrial injury, relying on QME Dr. Albert Retodo's reporting. Defendant then sought reconsideration, arguing the QME's opinion was not substantial medical evidence because it relied on uncorroborated testimony. The Board denied reconsideration, finding the QME's opinion constituted substantial medical evidence and applicant met his burden by a preponderance of the evidence.