JOSE VERDIN, Applicant vs. CHRISTOPHER HARNEY; STEVE RICHINS dba STEVE RICHINS CONSTRUCTION, illegally uninsured; UNINSURED EMPLOYERS’ BENEFITS TRUST FUND, Defendants
ADJ number
ADJ14196000, ADJ14490442
Decision date
Sep 3, 2026
District office
Oakland
WCJ
Sarah Carr
Claim administrator
Uninsured Employers' Benefits Trust Fund
Commissioners
—
Injury / body parts: left hip, left knee, head, headaches, neck, shoulders, lumbar spine
Applicant Jose Verdin, a laborer, claimed two industrial injuries in 2020: a September 30 injury (left hip, left knee, head, headaches) and an October 21 injury (neck, head, shoulders, lumbar spine) while working for illegally uninsured employers Steve Richins Construction and homeowner Christopher Harney. The WCJ found injury AOE/COE for both dates based on the applicant's credible testimony and the reporting of PQME Michael Lawson, D.C., and awarded future medical care. Defendant Harney sought reconsideration arguing Dr. Lawson's opinions were not substantial medical evidence because they relied on an inaccurate history and the applicant's non-credible subjective reporting. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration, according great weight to the WCJ's credibility findings and concluding the PQME's opinions and corroborating deposition testimony from the deceased employer supported the AOE/COE findings.
Issues
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The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties.
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Holding
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The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties.
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Analysis
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The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties.
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Applicant takeaway
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The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties.
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Defense takeaway
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The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties.
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Provider takeaway
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The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties.
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Similar decisions
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The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties.
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The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties.
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The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties.
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The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties.
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The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties.
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The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties.
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The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties.
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The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties.
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