Alex Redmond — ADJ16459359

Professional football player Alex Redmond filed a cumulative trauma claim for injuries sustained over his NFL career (2016-2022) while working for the Cincinnati Bengals (self-insured) and New England Patriots (Tri State Insurance/Berkley Entertainment). The WCJ found that the WCAB was not preempted by the federal LMRA or the NFL CBA from determining the location of hire, that Redmond was orally hired in California by both teams (establishing California subject-matter jurisdiction), and rejected the Bengals' Labor Code 3600.5(b) exemption and forum selection clause defenses. Both defendants petitioned for reconsideration. The Appeals Board granted both petitions based on a preliminary review of the record, finding it needed to further consider the merits and the entire record. The Board deferred issuance of a final decision after reconsideration, noting it may require a transcript of witness Duke Tobin's testimony to resolve a factual dispute.