What the panel ordered
The WCAB denied defendant's petition for reconsideration, upholding the WCJ's finding that applicant sustained an industrial injury to his psyche.
Defendant sought reconsideration of the Findings and Award issued by the WCJ on April 11, 2024, which found applicant sustained an industrial injury to his psyche.
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 found credible the applicant's testimony and the unrebutted, well-reasoned reports of the PQME, establishing by a preponderance of the evidence that the applicant sustained an industrial injury to his psyche.
From the decision · page 2Here, applicant was examined by Neda Khodaparast, PsyD, Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) in psychology. Dr. Khodaparast examined applicant, performed diagnostic testing, took a detailed history, reviewed extensive medical records, and articulated a solid basis for her opinions. (Dr. Khodaparast's report, dated June 28, 2022, Ex. AA; Dr. Khodaparast's report, dated October 6, 2023, Ex. X; Dr. Khodaparast's report, dated December 8, 2023, Ex. Y; and Dr. Khodaparast's report, dated January 10, 2024, Ex. Z.) Dr. Khodaparast opined that applicant's psychiatric injuries were predominantly work-related. (Ex. AA, p. 23; Ex. Z, p. 18.)