Article ID: 44c1e0bdddb6b9a58fd7ca94245397d5954d302b0a17232390907cda2e3d8ada
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California appeals board voids comp judge’s settlements over ‘bias’ - Business Insurance Skip to content Register for free Search Search Log In Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers California appeals board voids comp judge’s settlements over ‘bias’ by Louise Esola Workers Comp Coverage , Workplace Safety Jun 26, 2026 The California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board on Wednesday rescinded a series of orders issued by a Van Nuys workers compensation judge and disqualified her from 24 cases at the board’s Van Nuys District Office, finding she violated injured workers’ due process rights and showed bias against claimants. In a unanimous en banc decision, the six-member board addressed petitions for removal in 24 cases in which Judge Karinneh Aslanian had issued near-identical orders suspending action on compromise and release agreements submitted for approval. The settlements, many involving denied claims for psychiatric injury tied to alleged hostile work environments, ranged from $4,000 to $37,500. The board found that Ms. Aslanian improperly used the suspension orders to pressure applicants into either obtaining medical evaluations or dismissing their claims with prejudice — ultimatums issued without notice or an opportunity to be heard. Among several problems the board identified was the judge’s misconception that substantial medical evidence is required to determine whether a settlement is adequate. Stipulations exist in part to avoid the need for such proof, the board said, and the only requirement is that sufficient information appear in the formal record to support an adequacy finding. While Ms. Aslanian could properly request relevant medical records, civil case information in limited circumstances, and documentation supporting requested attorney fees, she could not compel evaluations, dismissals or fee reductions through a suspension order, the board held. Where adequacy concerns are significant or settlement terms are unclear, the proper remedy is to set an evidentiary hearing. The board separately found grounds for disqualification under Labor Code Section 5311, citing the judge’s written reports. In one, she described the Van Nuys venue as having become a “get rich quick” scheme and a “free cash money handout system,” and asserted that an applicant unwilling to attend a single medical exam “is clearly not injured.” Those statements, the board said, evidenced unqualified opinions on the merits and a state of mind reflecting bias. The cases — naming defendants including ABM Industries, Amazon, Lyft, FedEx and NBC Universal, with insurers such as Liberty Mutual, Hartford and Ace American — were consolidated for the ruling. The board then rescinded the consolidation and returned each case individually to the presiding judge for reassignment to a new judge. As an en banc decision, the ruling is binding precedent on all appeals board panels and workers compensation judges. 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