What the panel ordered
Petition for reconsideration granted; WCJ Findings and Order of February 3, 2025 rescinded; matter returned to trial level for further proceedings.
Petition for reconsideration filed by applicant and granted by the Appeals Board, rescinding the WCJ Findings and Order and returning the matter to the trial level for further proceedings.
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 that the PQME Dr. Weingarten's opinions on causation were not substantial medical evidence because they were incomplete, speculative, and based on an inadequate medical record, particularly lacking information for the period immediately preceding decedent's death and the autopsy was not admitted into evidence. Therefore, the matter was remanded for further proceedings to develop the record and clarify medical opinions.
From the decision · page 1Applicant seeks reconsideration of the Findings and Order (F&O), issued by the workers' compensation administrative law judge (WCJ) on February 3, 2025, wherein the WCJ found in pertinent part that decedent, while employed by defendant as a store manager on October 18, 2021, did not sustain injury arising out of and in the course of employment (AOE/COE) to his head, circulatory system, stress, psych, resulting in his death.