California Code, Government Code - GOV § 21538

The special death benefit is also payable if the deceased was a state member appointed by the Governor, the Director of Corrections, or the Board of Prison Terms, if his or her death occurred as a result of injury or disease arising out of and in the course of his or her official duties within a state prison or facility of the Department of Corrections, and if there is a survivor who qualifies under subdivision (b) of Section 21541. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, using the same procedure as in workers' compensation hearings, shall in disputed cases determine whether the death of the member occurred as a result of the injury or disease.

The jurisdiction of the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board shall be limited solely to the issue of industrial causation, and this section shall not be construed to authorize the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board to award costs against this system pursuant to Section 4600 or 5811 or any other provision of the Labor Code.