Leopoldo Jimenez — ADJ18309914

Applicant Leopoldo Jimenez, a plumber, sustained an industrial injury on 4/06/2023 to his left calf when he slipped while pulling a hose, and claimed a consequential lumbar spine injury. The WCJ found injury AOE/COE to both the left calf and lumbar spine, found applicant P&S/MMI as of 3/04/2024, awarded temporary disability from 9/01/2023 through 3/04/2024, and deferred permanent disability and apportionment pending a final QME report. Defendant petitioned for reconsideration, challenging the lumbar injury finding, the MMI date, the TD award, and the deferral of PD pending further reporting, arguing applicant's credibility was overweighted. The WCAB adopted and incorporated the WCJ's Report and denied reconsideration, giving great weight to the WCJ's credibility determination under Garza and finding QME Dr. Jimenez's reporting constituted substantial medical evidence supporting the lumbar spine injury as a compensable consequence.