County of San Bernardino v. Workers' Compensation Appeals Board

We granted the petition of the County of San Bernardino (hereafter County) to review a decision and order after reconsideration of the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (hereafter WCAB or the Board) permitting Angie Ramirez (hereafter the applicant) to reopen three workers’ compensation cases. On review County contends that the Board acted in excess of its jurisdiction in finding that applicant had suffered a “new and further disability” and that its decision is not supported by substantial evidence on the whole record. Although the case is close we conclude the Board’s decision is legally authorized and supported by substantial evidence. Accordingly, the decision of the Board will be affirmed.

I.

Facts

Applicant was employed as a community health worker by the County. On February 13, 1978, applicant filed three applications for adjudication of claim for alleged injuries to her back arising out of and in the course of her employment. The first injury (claim No. 61521) al legedly occurred on July 26, 1976, when applicant lifted a full file box out of the trunk of her car. The second injury (claim No. 61522) was allegedly sustained on or about November 15, 1977, when…