Castle & Cooke v. Alcantar

Petitioner seeks review of the Workers’ Compensation Board order holding that petitioner is responsible for claimant’s back condition from November, 1986, until October 23,1987.1 It argues that the Board erred by holdingthat it had waived its right to assert a “causation defense” by contesting responsibility only. We reverse.

Claimant injured his back in 1982, while employed by petitioner as a mushroom picker. Petitioner was self-insured for workers’ compensation and accepted the claim, which was closed as nondisabling. Subsequently, the business changed owners three times.2 Claimant again…