The California Division of Workers’ Compensation has communicated the updated hearing and filing procedures with the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB), effective April 3, 2020.
Hearings at the WCAB
- From April 6 through April 10, Expedited Hearings will be held at the district offices.
- Status Conferences, Mandatory Settlement Conferences, and Priority Conferences will be via Court Call only. If all parties cannot participate with Court Call, the conference will be continued to another date. Trials and Lien Conferences/Trials will be continued to a new date automatically.
- Effective April 13, Expedited Hearings, Status Conferences, Mandatory Settlement Conferences, and Priority Conferences will all be telephonic only, using a new toll-free system that is currently in the works. Trials and Lien Conferences/Trials will still be continued to a new date automatically.
Filings at the WCAB
- From April 6 through April 10, the district offices are closed and filing deadlines are extended to April 13. All documents must be e-filed or mailed; there are no walk throughs or in-person filings/requests.
- Starting April 13, district offices are open, but all documents must still be e-filed or mailed; there are no walk-throughs or in-person filings/requests.
- Effective immediately and until otherwise notified, e-signatures will be accepted on all documents.
Click here for the full press release from the California Division of Workers’ Compensation
Our Thoughts
Please note these procedures are all subject to change and the WCAB is trying to stay flexible on a week by week basis.
Despite the changes, we at Adelson McLean understand that with these rapidly changing times, we need to be flexible too. We have been working to take video depositions, utilize Court Call, and set up informal settlement conferences with opposing attorneys, all towards the goal of pushing our cases to resolution as quickly and effectively as possible, no matter the obstacle.
We are all in this together. Please contact us with any questions.
In good health,
Adelson McLean
