Forough Douraghi Zadeh — ADJ1805830

Applicant Forough Douraghi-Zadeh, a licensed mental health clinician, sustained an admitted continuous trauma injury (10/27/2003–10/27/2004) to her bilateral shoulders, arms, elbows, and wrists while working for the permissibly self-insured County of San Diego. The central trial dispute was whether the AME Dr. Beth Bathgate's report (rating 37%) or the PTP Dr. Paul Murphy's report (rating 45%) constituted substantial medical evidence. The WCJ found Dr. Bathgate's opinion more persuasive because it followed the AMA Guides, addressed ADLs, and provided a reasoned apportionment analysis (a 50/50 double-crush split between a prior cervical injury and the wrist CTS), whereas Dr. Murphy failed to address ADLs and erroneously found no apportionment. Applicant petitioned for reconsideration, essentially objecting only because she preferred the higher PTP rating. The WCAB adopted and incorporated the WCJ's report and denied reconsideration.