What the panel ordered
Petition for Removal granted; WCJ's Order for in-person appearances rescinded and replaced with an Order for virtual or telephonic appearances.
Defendant filed a Petition for Removal of the WCJ's Order requiring in-person appearances of the claim adjuster and supervisor at the lien trial.
What was disputed, and how it came out
Each issue the panel decided, with the reasoning it gave. An outcome is what this panel did on this record — not a rule, and not a prediction.
The Appeals Board found that the order for in-person appearances was an undue burden and that virtual or telephonic appearances would suffice, thus granting the Petition for Removal.
From the decision · page 1We have considered the allegations of the Petition for Removal and the contents of the report of the workers' compensation administrative law judge (WCJ) with respect thereto. Based on our review of the record, and for the reasons stated below, we will grant the Petition for Removal, rescind the Order of the WCJ to appear in person, and substitute a new order stating that the claims adjuster and the adjuster's supervisor must be available by virtual or telephonic appearance at the upcoming trial of this matter.