Indianapolis Colts; Travelers Indemnity Company, Crance Clemons, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDSTATE OF CALIFORNIACRANCE CLEMONS,Applicant,vs.INDIANAPOLIS COLTS; TRAVELERS INDEMNITY COMPANY,Defendants.Case No. ADJ9380444(Santa Ana District Office)OPINION AND DECISION AFTER RECONSIDERATION Applicant’s petition for reconsideration of the May 26, 2016 Findings And Order of the workers’ compensation administrative law judge (WCJ) was earlier granted in order to further study the record and issues in the case. The WCJ found in pertinent part that applicant “failed to carry his burden to show that his employment contract was accepted in the State of California” and that the WCAB “does not have jurisdiction over applicant’s claim.” Applicant claims to have sustained industrial injury while employed as a professional football player (defensive back) by the Indianapolis Colts (Indianapolis or Colts) during the period January 5, 2004 through October 12, 2004. Applicant contends that the WCAB has jurisdiction over his claim for workers’ compensation benefits under Labor Code section 3600.5 because he was hired in California by Indianapolis within the meaning of that section.1 An answer was received from defendant. The WCJ provided a Report and Recommendation on Petition for Reconsideration (Report) recommending that applicant’s petition be denied./// 1 Further statutory references are to the Labor Code. , Reconsideration is granted and the WCJ’s decision is reversed as the Decision After Reconsideration. The WCAB has jurisdiction over applicant’s injury and claim pursuant to sections 3600.5(a) and 5305. The evidence that applicant’s agent accepted the Indianapolis offer of employment on applicant’s behalf while in this state supports a finding that applicant was hired in California as described in those sections.BACKGROUND Applicant played college football at the University of Texas in El Paso.
