California Supreme Court Watch

#26-6 Illinois Midwest Ins. Agency LLC v. Workers’ Comp. Appeals Bd., S294463. (B344044; 115 Cal.App.5th 1168; Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board; ADJ11532204.) Petition for review after the Court of Appeal annulled and remanded the decision in a Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board proceeding. This case presents the following issues: (1) Is there an exception to the exclusivity of utilization review and independent medical review when an employer seeks to deny a form of ongoing, continual treatment that the employer has previously authorized? (2) If an employer has submitted a request for such treatment to utilization review, does the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board have jurisdiction to hear an employee’s appeal from an adverse decision denying such treatment?

Petition for review granted: 1/21/2026

See the Court of Appeal Opinion.

In the news: Work Comp Central, California high court to clarify power of medical reviews in ongoing care, Business Insurance (Jan. 27, 2026).