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PanelQMEMed-legalDenied

Stephen Waggoner — ADJ8260868, ADJ8260850

STEPHEN WAGGONER, Applicant vs. CITY OF TORRANCE, Permissibly Self-Insured, Defendants

ADJ number: ADJ8260868, ADJ8260850
Decision date: Feb 21, 2021
District office: Van Nuys
WCJ: Clint Feddersen
Claim administrator: City of Torrance, Permissibly Self-Insured
Commissioners: —

Injury / body parts: back, neck, knees, right shoulder, hearing loss/inner ears, hypertension, skin, sexual dysfunction, lungs, heart, GERD, IBS, hernias (inguinal and ventral)

LC §4660LC §5701LC §5703LC §3212LC §4663LC §3202LC §5904

Summary

Stephen Waggoner, a Torrance firefighter, claimed a specific back injury (9/2/2011) and a cumulative trauma (3/11/1985-11/15/2011) affecting numerous body systems. After three prior amended awards and successive defense petitions for reconsideration that led to development of the record with supplemental medical opinions and a court-appointed vocational expert, the WCJ issued a Third Amended Findings and Award finding 100% permanent total disability based on the vocational opinion of Enrique Vega rebutting the scheduled rating under Ogilvie. Defendant City of Torrance (permissibly self-insured) petitioned for reconsideration raising sixteen contentions (A-P) challenging the medical impairment ratings, MMI status, apportionment, and the total disability finding. The WCAB adopted and incorporated the WCJ's report, gave the WCJ's credibility determination great weight under Garza, and denied reconsideration. The Board concluded substantial medical and vocational evidence supported the award.

Issues

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Holding

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Analysis

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Applicant takeaway

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Defense takeaway

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Provider takeaway

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Similar decisions

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Full case search with summaries, PDFs, holdings, and filters is included with Member. This block is a decorative placeholder so the page layout is visible without exposing restricted text. Sign in or subscribe to Member to read the complete decision. The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties. Member is $25/month or $250/year and includes the weekly email digest, full case search, and bookmarks.

Full case search with summaries, PDFs, holdings, and filters is included with Member. This block is a decorative placeholder so the page layout is visible without exposing restricted text. Sign in or subscribe to Member to read the complete decision. The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties. Member is $25/month or $250/year and includes the weekly email digest, full case search, and bookmarks.

Full case search with summaries, PDFs, holdings, and filters is included with Member. This block is a decorative placeholder so the page layout is visible without exposing restricted text. Sign in or subscribe to Member to read the complete decision. The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties. Member is $25/month or $250/year and includes the weekly email digest, full case search, and bookmarks.

Full case search with summaries, PDFs, holdings, and filters is included with Member. This block is a decorative placeholder so the page layout is visible without exposing restricted text. Sign in or subscribe to Member to read the complete decision. The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties. Member is $25/month or $250/year and includes the weekly email digest, full case search, and bookmarks.

Full case search with summaries, PDFs, holdings, and filters is included with Member. This block is a decorative placeholder so the page layout is visible without exposing restricted text. Sign in or subscribe to Member to read the complete decision. The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties. Member is $25/month or $250/year and includes the weekly email digest, full case search, and bookmarks.

Full case search with summaries, PDFs, holdings, and filters is included with Member. This block is a decorative placeholder so the page layout is visible without exposing restricted text. Sign in or subscribe to Member to read the complete decision. The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties. Member is $25/month or $250/year and includes the weekly email digest, full case search, and bookmarks.

Full case search with summaries, PDFs, holdings, and filters is included with Member. This block is a decorative placeholder so the page layout is visible without exposing restricted text. Sign in or subscribe to Member to read the complete decision. The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties. Member is $25/month or $250/year and includes the weekly email digest, full case search, and bookmarks.