WCAB RESCINDS COVID-ERA REGULATIONS

GMK ALERT – Today’s News You Can Use

ISSUE DATE:  Thursday, March 23, 2023

IN THIS ALERT:  WCAB RESCINDS COVID-ERA REGULATIONS

WCAB RESCINDS COVID-ERA REGULATIONS

The state of emergency in response to COVID-19 was terminated as of February 28, 2023.

Now, as of March 22, 2023, the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board has rescinded all remaining provisions of en banc order numbers 260, 261, and 266, including its suspension of WCAB Rules 10500(b)(6), 10940(b), 10789(c), and 10961(a).

The Appeals Board will now require “wet” signatures on documents and will require the signature of two witnesses on Compromise and Releases per WCAB Rule 10500(b)(6).  Documents sent directly to the Appeals Board by fax or e-mail will not be accepted for filing.  Each district office shall have a designee of the presiding workers’ compensation judge available to assign walk-through cases on court days. Workers’ compensation judges no longer have an unlimited extension of time within with to issue Reports and Recommendations in response to Petitions for Reconsideration and must prepare a Report within 15 days.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU

With the rescission of emergency regulations, the Appeals Board is gradually moving toward a return to traditional practice. As it does so, GMK maintains attorneys throughout the state to provide localized knowledge of and access to the various district offices.

Jessica Tyndall, Managing Partner
San Luis Obispo

Goldman, Magdalin & Krikes, LLP