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PanelQMEMed-legalGranted in Part

Jose Ascencio — ADJ18016076

JOSE ASCENCIO, Applicant vs. PARTNERS PERSONNEL and LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE CORPORATION, administered by CORVEL CORPORATION, Defendants

ADJ number: ADJ18016076
Decision date: Aug 30, 2026
District office: San Francisco
WCJ: Hillary R. Allyn
Claim administrator: CorVel Corporation (administering for Liberty Mutual Insurance Corporation)
Commissioners: —

Injury / body parts: lumbar spine, thoracic spine, cervical spine, left shoulder

LC §5909LC §5900LC §5903LC §5952LC §3600LC §3202LC §3202.5

Summary

Applicant Jose Ascencio sustained an admitted June 21, 2023 specific injury while stacking heavy tires, with the lumbar and thoracic spine admitted but cervical spine and left shoulder denied. The WCJ found injury to all four body parts (lumbar, thoracic, cervical spine, and left shoulder) and awarded 53% permanent disability based on the reporting of QME Asha Fields Brewer, D.C. Defendant sought reconsideration, arguing the QME's reporting on compensability and WPI ratings was not substantial evidence. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, adopting the WCJ's report, but amended the award to correct a typographical error (future medical treatment for lumbar, thoracic, cervical spine and left shoulder rather than 'right shoulder and scar') and to remove the employer, leaving the award only against the insurer. The Board affirmed that Dr. Fields Brewer's opinion constituted substantial medical evidence supporting the findings.

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.