What the panel ordered
Defendant's Petition for Reconsideration of the Findings and Award of March 16, 2026 is denied.
Defendant sought reconsideration of the WCJ's Findings and Award of March 16, 2026, contesting industrial injury to the low back; the WCJ filed a Report and Recommendation on Petition for Reconsideration; the Appeals Board adopted the WCJ's Report and denied the petition.
What was disputed, and how it came out
Each issue the panel decided, with the reasoning it gave. An outcome is what this panel did on this record — not a rule, and not a prediction.
The Appeals Board found substantial evidence supporting industrial injury to the low back based on the entire medical record and credible applicant testimony, favoring the treating physician's opinions over the PQME Dr. Shah's contrary opinion.
From the decision · page 1Defendant seeks reconsideration of a workers' compensation administrative law judge's (WCJ) Findings and Award of March 16, 2026, wherein it was found that while employed as an assistant manager applicant sustained industrial injury in the form of a hernia and to the low back, causing the need for further medical treatment. Industrial injury to the hernia had been accepted by the defendant, but injury to the low back was contested. All other issues including date of injury, temporary disability, and permanent disability were deferred.