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PanelQMEMed-legalLienGranted in Part

Ricardo Baez — ADJ14142513

RICARDO BAEZ, Applicant vs. AMAZON; AMERICAN ZURICH INSURANCE COMPANY, Defendants

ADJ number: ADJ14142513
Decision date: May 21, 2026
District office: Van Nuys
WCJ: —
Claim administrator: American Zurich Insurance Company
Commissioners: KATHERINE WILLIAMS DODD, COMMISSIONER, LISA A. SUSSMAN, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, JOSEPH V. CAPURRO, COMMISSIONER

Injury / body parts: lumbar spine, cervical spine, thoracic spine, hips

LC §5909LC §5900LC §5313

Summary

Applicant Ricardo Baez, a warehouse associate, sustained an admitted industrial injury to the lumbar spine and disputed injuries to the cervical spine, thoracic spine, and hips on August 21, 2020. The WCJ found industrial injury to all four body parts and awarded 38% permanent disability after apportionment, relying on the reports of treating physician Dr. Khalid Ahmed rather than PQME Dr. David Wood. Defendant sought reconsideration arguing Dr. Ahmed's reports were not substantial medical evidence (due to an inaccurate injury history) and that the WCJ failed to explain why he rejected Dr. Wood's opinions. The Board granted reconsideration solely to correct two typographical errors (a $5 calculation error and an erroneous 'temporarily permanently disabled' phrase) but otherwise affirmed the WCJ's decision, finding Dr. Ahmed's reports constituted substantial evidence and that Dr. Wood's opinions on the thoracic spine were equivocal. The Board also noted defendant failed to diligently develop the record through Dr. Wood.

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.