Angela Moore — ADJ13613836

Applicant Angela Moore claimed a cumulative trauma injury to her cervical spine, lumbar spine, bilateral shoulders, and bilateral wrists during a two-month employment at Cintas ending April 3, 2020. The WCJ found no compensable injury AOE/COE, discrediting applicant's testimony and finding the chiropractic PQME's opinions non-substantial because they relied on applicant's reporting, and further found the claim barred by the post-termination defense under section 3600(a)(10). On reconsideration, the WCAB rescinded the F&O, finding that PQME Dr. Lockwood's opinions—grounded in comprehensive exams, over 2,500 pages of records, and applicant's actual job description—constituted substantial medical evidence of industrial injury. The Board held that applicant, lacking specialized training, could not be charged with knowledge that her disability was work-related absent medical advice, so her section 5412 date of injury fell after her layoff, defeating the post-termination defense. The Board substituted a new F&O finding compensable injury AOE/COE and that the claim was not barred by section 3600(a)(10), deferring all other issues.