What the panel ordered
The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board panel denied the defendant's petition for reconsideration.
Defendant filed a timely verified petition for reconsideration of the Findings and Order issued by the WCJ on March 20, 2025, which was denied by the WCAB panel decision dated June 16, 2025.
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.
AOE/COEApplicant prevailedright upper extremity · right knee · back · bilateral feet (plantar fasciitis)
The WCJ's finding of injury AOE/COE was supported by substantial medical evidence from Dr. Haghighinia, whose opinion was found credible and persuasive over the contrary opinion of Dr. Kim, which was rejected as not credible due to discounting applicant's history and complaints.
From the decision · page 6This matter proceeded to trial on the issue of AOE/COE only, with all other issues bifurcated and deferred by Order of the Court. The matter was submitted on the documentary record - no testimony was received. Lien claimants relied on the reporting1 of Dr. Omid Haghighinia, D.C to establish injury AOE/COE. Defendant instead relied on the PQME reports2 of Dr. David Kim, M.D., which found no injury. The Court found the reporting of Dr. Haghighinia to be more persuasive and issued findings of injury AOE/COE on March 20, 2025. These were served by mail on March 25, 2025.