What the panel ordered
The WCAB granted reconsideration to correct typographical errors but affirmed the WCJ's Findings, Award and Order of February 23, 2026, including findings of industrial injury, permanent disability, and need for further medical treatment.
Defendant sought reconsideration of the WCJ's Findings, Award and Order of February 23, 2026; the WCAB granted reconsideration to correct typographical errors and affirmed the substance of the WCJ's decision on May 22, 2026.
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 WCJ's findings of industrial injury and permanent disability were supported by substantial medical evidence from the primary treating physician Khalid Ahmed, M.D., whose opinions were found more persuasive than the equivocal QME Dr. Wood's reports.
From the decision · page 3Turning to the merits, we will affirm the WCJ's decision for the reasons stated in the Report. Although applicant's primary treating physician orthopedist Khalid B. Ahmed initially recorded a history of the injurious event that was slightly different than the one that applicant testified at trial, he reviewed several reports from the QME which included the correct history, but Dr. Ahmed did not alter his conclusions. It appears that the difference between moving awkwardly to avoid hitting a colleague and actually hitting the colleague was not a material difference. With regard to the issues of industrial injury to the hips, thoracic spine and cervical spine, we note that the QME did state that applicant's hips were exacerbated by the industrial incident but that any permanent disability was due to pre-existing conditions. (January 26, 2022 report at p. 2.) Dr. Ahmed acknowledged the pre-existing conditions but ascribed some causation to the industrial incident. (June 17, 2022 report at p.