Home/Case Law/RICHARD SHILTS (Deceased), KAAREN GUEST (Widow) vs. BRUNTON ENTERPRISES, INC., SEABRIGHT INSURANCE CO.
Regular DecisionReconsideration

RICHARD SHILTS (Deceased), KAAREN GUEST (Widow) vs. BRUNTON ENTERPRISES, INC., SEABRIGHT INSURANCE CO.

Filed: Jan 27, 2010
San Francisco
ADJ6663169

CompFox AI Summary

This case concerns whether a union's "carve-out" agreement, allowing for alternative dispute resolution under Labor Code § 3201.5, applies to dependent death benefits. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration, reversing a prior finding. The WCAB held that "carve-out" agreements, by their plain language, apply only to "employees" and not to dependents' death benefit claims. Because dependents' rights to death benefits are independent of the deceased employee's claim and constitutionally mandated, the WCAB found these claims fall under its exclusive jurisdiction.

Full Decision Text1 Pages

This case concerns whether a union's "carve-out" agreement, allowing for alternative dispute resolution under Labor Code § 3201.5, applies to dependent death benefits. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration, reversing a prior finding. The WCAB held that "carve-out" agreements, by their plain language, apply only to "employees" and not to dependents' death benefit claims. Because dependents' rights to death benefits are independent of the deceased employee's claim and constitutionally mandated, the WCAB found these claims fall under its exclusive jurisdiction.

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RICHARD SHILTS (Deceased), KAAREN GUEST (Widow) vs. BRUNTON ENTERPRISES, INC., SEABRIGHT INSURANCE CO. (2010) – San Francisco | CompFox