Franklin, Charles

Fire Captain Charles Franklin sustained an admitted specific injury to his low back on 11/27/2024 while moving a patient. He resides in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, and elected Dr. Nassos in Sherman Oaks, California (approximately 300 miles away) as his primary treating physician within the MPN. Defendant, the permissibly self-insured County of San Bernardino, sought reconsideration arguing the WCJ erred in finding Dr. Nassos' office was within a reasonable geographic area under Labor Code section 4600, and challenged a scrivener's error in the case number. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, corrected the case number from ADJ20141320 to ADJ20141319, and otherwise affirmed the WCJ's decision, holding that defendant failed to carry its burden to show similar, equally effective treatment was available closer to applicant's residence with a physician willing to follow California reporting requirements and the fee schedule.