Anthony Coppola — ADJ10845616

Applicant Anthony Coppola, a senior psychiatrist supervisor at Duel Vocational Institute (CDCR), claimed a cumulative psychiatric injury (10/21/2015–10/21/2016) arising out of a 30-day period in which new management investigated and pursued an adverse action against him over his long-approved secondary employment at Santa Rita Jail and his flexible 'burning time' work schedule. The WCJ found compensable psychiatric injury predominantly caused by actual employment events and held the claim was not barred by Labor Code section 3208.3(h) because the personnel actions were unlawful, discriminatory, and not taken in good faith. The WCJ found 29% permanent partial disability, periods of temporary disability, and a need for future medical care, relying on PQME Dr. Bokarius's reporting. Defendant petitioned for reconsideration arguing denial of due process, error on the good faith personnel action defense, and errors in the PD and TD findings. The WCAB adopted and incorporated the WCJ's report, gave great weight to the WCJ's credibility determinations under Garza, and denied reconsideration.