Home/Case Law/WILLIAM AREY vs. MAGIC MOUNTAIN, LLC; HARTFORD ACCIDENT AND INDEMNITY COMPANY
Regular DecisionRegular Panel Decision

WILLIAM AREY vs. MAGIC MOUNTAIN, LLC; HARTFORD ACCIDENT AND INDEMNITY COMPANY

Filed: Aug 15, 2025
Van Nuys District Office
ADJ10266237; ADJ10401171

CompFox AI Summary

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied defendant Hartford Accident & Indemnity Company's petition for reconsideration. The defendant challenged the April 22, 2025 Joint Findings of Fact and Order, which found that applicant William Arey sustained industrial injuries to his brain, head, nervous system, and circulatory system. Defendant contended the Agreed Medical Evaluator (AME) Dr. Roger Bertoldi's report was not substantial medical evidence and that ex parte contact occurred due to applicant's sister's participation in the evaluation. The Board affirmed the WCJ's decision, finding Dr. Bertoldi's report to be substantial medical evidence and concluding that the sister's assistance was necessary and permissible due to applicant's significant memory impairment, thus not constituting impermissible ex parte contact.

Full Decision Text1 Pages

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied defendant Hartford Accident & Indemnity Company's petition for reconsideration. The defendant challenged the April 22, 2025 Joint Findings of Fact and Order, which found that applicant William Arey sustained industrial injuries to his brain, head, nervous system, and circulatory system. Defendant contended the Agreed Medical Evaluator (AME) Dr. Roger Bertoldi's report was not substantial medical evidence and that ex parte contact occurred due to applicant's sister's participation in the evaluation. The Board affirmed the WCJ's decision, finding Dr. Bertoldi's report to be substantial medical evidence and concluding that the sister's assistance was necessary and permissible due to applicant's significant memory impairment, thus not constituting impermissible ex parte contact.

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