Valdez v. Workers' Compensation Appeals Board

Opinion

CORRIGAN, J.

This case concerns the admissibility of doctors’ reports in workers’ compensation proceedings. The Court of Appeal granted writ review and annulled decisions by the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (the Board) restricting the admission of reports from a doctor retained by petitioner Elayne Valdez. We affirm.

I. BACKGROUND

A. The Relevant Statutes

Division 4 of the Labor Code sets out an extensive, regulated system for compensation and medical treatment of employees injured at work. (Lab. Code, § 3200 et seq.) While employers are responsible for the costs of treating injured…