Garcia, Michael

Firefighter Michael Garcia filed claims against the City of Seaside (self-insured, administered by Athens Administrators) for hypertension cumulative injuries and a separate psychiatric cumulative injury. A WCJ found defendant owed Labor Code section 4850 benefits for one year beginning November 9, 2021 (less amounts already paid), and the Appeals Board affirmed in a February 7, 2024 Decision. After defendant filed a Petition for Writ of Review, the Board, on its own motion under Labor Code sections 5900(b) and 5911, granted reconsideration of its own prior decision within the 60-day statutory window. The Board expressed concern about whether applicant suffered one or multiple injuries given his continuous firefighting exposure through November 1, 2020, and whether the record was adequately developed. The Board deferred a final decision after reconsideration pending further review of the merits and the entire evidentiary record.