California Division of Workers’ Compensation and WCAB Announce Modified Hearing Calendar & Filing Update In Response To Coronavirus
By Lonce Lamonte and the DWC Newsline - March 16, 2020
The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) and the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) put out a statement of protecting the health and safety of the community and staff while performing its legislative and constitutional duties.
In communication with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Office of Emergency Services the departments have ensured having the most up-to-date information available during this unprecedented COVID-19 crisis.
The WCAB is limiting court appearances to protect the health and safety of staff and the community, in accordance with numerous public health orders suggesting that public gatherings be limited.
Scheduled Hearings
March 17 through March 20: DWC will only hear expedited hearings at the district offices. DWC will continue all other hearings and send parties notice of new hearing dates within the next five business days.
March 23 through April 3: DWC will continue to hear expedited hearings for parties that appear at the district offices. DWC will also hear status conferences, mandatory settlement conferences and priority conferences via CourtCall only. If all parties do not appear via CourtCall the case will be continued and notice will be given. All other hearings will be continued. No trials or lien conferences will be heard during this time.
Filings
March 17 through April 3: DWC’s district offices will be closed for filing purposes. Accordingly, all filing deadlines are extended to Monday, April 6 (see California Code of Civil Procedure Section 12(a); 8 California Code of Regulations Sections 10600and 10605; and WCAB Significant Panel Decision Pa’u v. Department of Forestry, et al.: (2019) (ADJ 9159725, ADJ 7757931, ADJ 9640668).
DWC will not accept walk-through documents or walk-in filings until the district offices reopen for filing purposes. Workers’ Compensation Judges will focus on reviewing settlement documents and ruling on petitions submitted by the parties during the closure. Parties may utilize the Electronic Adjudication Management System to file documents online. Parties may also mail settlement documents or petitions to the district office where the case is filed. Refer to the district office page for e-mail and other contact information.
These changes are based on the best information currently available and are subject to change without notice as circumstances change. Although updates regarding hearings, filing or office closures will be provided via news outlets and email notifications, parties, attorneys and hearing representatives should also check the DWC and WCAB websites for updates.
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lonce@adjustercom.com, Lonce Lamonte, journalist and editor, with the DIR Newsline release of March 16, 2020
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