Newsline No. 77-08 Printer friendly
December 15, 2008
New Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board rules of practice and procedure became effective Nov. 17, 2008
Changes to the rules of practice and procedure of the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) went into effect
Nov. 17, 2008 and are now posted on the WCAB’s Web site at http://www.dir.ca.gov/WCAB/WCABRulemaking.html.
There are numerous changes to the rules, some highlights of which include:
Adopting new rule 10397 relating to restrictions on the rejection for filing of documents that are subject to a statute of
limitations or a jurisdictional time limitation
Adopting new rule 10403 relating to the need to file an application or other case opening document before the jurisdiction
of the WCAB can be invoked and before compelled (i.e., non-voluntary) discovery can be commenced
Amending rule 10500 so as to place all of the provisions relating to service by the WCAB into a single rule (i.e., former
Rule 10520 is repealed)
Amending rule 10505 so as to put all of the service provisions relating to parties and lien claimants into a single rule (i.e.,
former Rule 10514 is repealed). Rule 10505 addresses personal, mail, e-mail and fax service by the parties and lien
claimants (the latter two types of service being new under EAMS), including service on another party or lien claimant using
its designated preferred method of service (see court administrator rule 10218). Rule 10505 also addresses the duty to re-
serve a document, when the serving party or lien claimant receives notice that its service on another party or lien claimant
has failed
Amending rule 10507 addressing the time requirements for a party or lien claimant to act or respond when served with a
document. Among other things, the former “five-day rule” – which had extended the time within which to act or respond
when service was madeby mail on an address in California – now also applies to service by fax or e-mail, if the “physical
address” of the party or lien claimant being served is within California
Adopting new rule 10550 relating to the obligation of parties and lien claimants to properly identify themselves in
pleadings and when appearing at hearings
Amending rule 10561 relating to sanctions. The amendments are extensive and detailed
Amending rule 10629, which now sets forth specific requirements regarding the filing and listing of exhibits
Amending rule 10770 relating to required procedures for the filing and service of lien claims
Adding rule 10770.5, which sets forth various verification and other requirements for lien claims and applications filed by
medical and/or medical-legal lien claimants
Adding rule 10770.6, which sets forth various verification and other requirements for declarations of readiness filed by
medical and/or medical-legal lien claimants
Adding rule 10782 regarding vexatious litigants
Amending rule 10840 to provide that petitions for reconsideration, removal, and disqualification (and answers thereto) may
be filed with any WCAB district office or with the office of the appeals board in San Francisco. [NOTE: Under amended
Rule 10840, petitions for reconsideration, removal, and disqualification relating to WCJ decisions no longer need to be filed
at the district office from which the decision issued, and petitions for reconsiderationfrom appeals board decisions no
longer need to be filed with the office of the appeals board in San Francisco. Instead, such petitions may be filed at any
office. However, amended rule 10840 relates only to petitions for reconsideration, removal, and disqualification (and
answers thereto). Therefore, all other documents – including but not limited to other types of petitions (e.g., penalty
petitions, 132a petitions, etc.) are to be filed at the appropriate district office, absent a specific exception under the rules of
the WCAB or court administrator.] However, where a petition is filed in one district office, duplicate copies of the petition
are not to be filed in any other district office or with theappeals board.
Amending rule 10842, which now imposes various requirements relating to the contents of petitions for reconsideration,
removal and disqualification (and answers thereto), including but not limited to a requirement that evidentiary statements
shall be supported by references that state with specificity the place in the record where the evidence supporting the
statement appears. Rule 10842 still provides that documents which are already in evidence or are otherwise already part of
the adjudication file shall not be attached to petitions for reconsideration, removal and disqualification (and answers thereto)
Amending rule 10843 and adding rule 10844, so as to require that petitions for removal and for disqualification (and
answers thereto) must be verified under penalty of perjury
Adding rule 10845, which in essence requires that, except as otherwise provided by sections 10840 or 10865, all documents
filed in connection with any petition for reconsideration, removal, disqualification or any other matter pending before the
appeals board shall comply with various court administrator regulations relating to the time, place, and form for filing
documents. Rule 10845 specifically requires that such petitions and other documents comply with 25-page limitation of
court administrator rule 10232(a)(6), but rule 10845 further requires that any supplemental petition or answer submitted
under rule 10848 shall not exceed 10 pages, unless otherwise directed by the appeals board.
Amending rule 10865, relating to petitions for reconsideration from arbitration decisions in “carve-out” cases. [NOTE:
Although new rule 10840 generally allows petitions for reconsideration to be filed at any WCAB office, petitions for
reconsideration in carve-out cases are an exception to rule 10840. Because most carve-out cases will never have been in the
WCAB system, petitions for reconsideration in carve-out cases must be filed directly with the appeals board in San
Francisco.]
Amending rule 10866, relating to petitions for reconsideration from arbitrator decisions made under the mandatory or
voluntary arbitration provisions of Labor Code sections 5270 through 5275.
Repealing numerous other rules, whose subject matter will now be covered by the new regulations of the court
administrator, which also became effective on Nov.17, 2008. [NOTE: Thecourt administrator’s new regulations are posted
on the Division of Workers’ Compensation’s Web site at: http://www.dir.ca.
gov/dwc/DWCPropRegs/EAMS_regulations/EAMS_regulations.htm.]
The above summary does not include all of the new, amended, or repealed rules, nor does it purport to fully cover all new
or amended provisions. Members of the workers’ compensation community are encouraged to go to the WCAB and DWC
Web sites to review the complete copies of the new rules of the WCAB and court administrator to adequately familiarize
themselves with all of the changes. Any previously existing WCAB rules that were not amended or repealed still remain in
full force and effect. In its formal notice and public comment rulemaking proceedings, the WCAB had proposed to add rule
10610, regarding the admissibility and service of reports from non-medical experts. However, in light of the numerous
adverse public comments the WCAB received, the WCAB decided not to adopt proposed rule 10610 and instead withdrew
it.
December 15, 2008
New Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board rules of practice and procedure became effective Nov. 17, 2008
Changes to the rules of practice and procedure of the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) went into effect
Nov. 17, 2008 and are now posted on the WCAB’s Web site at http://www.dir.ca.gov/WCAB/WCABRulemaking.html.
There are numerous changes to the rules, some highlights of which include:
Adopting new rule 10397 relating to restrictions on the rejection for filing of documents that are subject to a statute of
limitations or a jurisdictional time limitation
Adopting new rule 10403 relating to the need to file an application or other case opening document before the jurisdiction
of the WCAB can be invoked and before compelled (i.e., non-voluntary) discovery can be commenced
Amending rule 10500 so as to place all of the provisions relating to service by the WCAB into a single rule (i.e., former
Rule 10520 is repealed)
Amending rule 10505 so as to put all of the service provisions relating to parties and lien claimants into a single rule (i.e.,
former Rule 10514 is repealed). Rule 10505 addresses personal, mail, e-mail and fax service by the parties and lien
claimants (the latter two types of service being new under EAMS), including service on another party or lien claimant using
its designated preferred method of service (see court administrator rule 10218). Rule 10505 also addresses the duty to re-
serve a document, when the serving party or lien claimant receives notice that its service on another party or lien claimant
has failed
Amending rule 10507 addressing the time requirements for a party or lien claimant to act or respond when served with a
document. Among other things, the former “five-day rule” – which had extended the time within which to act or respond
when service was madeby mail on an address in California – now also applies to service by fax or e-mail, if the “physical
address” of the party or lien claimant being served is within California
Adopting new rule 10550 relating to the obligation of parties and lien claimants to properly identify themselves in
pleadings and when appearing at hearings
Amending rule 10561 relating to sanctions. The amendments are extensive and detailed
Amending rule 10629, which now sets forth specific requirements regarding the filing and listing of exhibits
Amending rule 10770 relating to required procedures for the filing and service of lien claims
Adding rule 10770.5, which sets forth various verification and other requirements for lien claims and applications filed by
medical and/or medical-legal lien claimants
Adding rule 10770.6, which sets forth various verification and other requirements for declarations of readiness filed by
medical and/or medical-legal lien claimants
Adding rule 10782 regarding vexatious litigants
Amending rule 10840 to provide that petitions for reconsideration, removal, and disqualification (and answers thereto) may
be filed with any WCAB district office or with the office of the appeals board in San Francisco. [NOTE: Under amended
Rule 10840, petitions for reconsideration, removal, and disqualification relating to WCJ decisions no longer need to be filed
at the district office from which the decision issued, and petitions for reconsiderationfrom appeals board decisions no
longer need to be filed with the office of the appeals board in San Francisco. Instead, such petitions may be filed at any
office. However, amended rule 10840 relates only to petitions for reconsideration, removal, and disqualification (and
answers thereto). Therefore, all other documents – including but not limited to other types of petitions (e.g., penalty
petitions, 132a petitions, etc.) are to be filed at the appropriate district office, absent a specific exception under the rules of
the WCAB or court administrator.] However, where a petition is filed in one district office, duplicate copies of the petition
are not to be filed in any other district office or with theappeals board.
Amending rule 10842, which now imposes various requirements relating to the contents of petitions for reconsideration,
removal and disqualification (and answers thereto), including but not limited to a requirement that evidentiary statements
shall be supported by references that state with specificity the place in the record where the evidence supporting the
statement appears. Rule 10842 still provides that documents which are already in evidence or are otherwise already part of
the adjudication file shall not be attached to petitions for reconsideration, removal and disqualification (and answers thereto)
Amending rule 10843 and adding rule 10844, so as to require that petitions for removal and for disqualification (and
answers thereto) must be verified under penalty of perjury
Adding rule 10845, which in essence requires that, except as otherwise provided by sections 10840 or 10865, all documents
filed in connection with any petition for reconsideration, removal, disqualification or any other matter pending before the
appeals board shall comply with various court administrator regulations relating to the time, place, and form for filing
documents. Rule 10845 specifically requires that such petitions and other documents comply with 25-page limitation of
court administrator rule 10232(a)(6), but rule 10845 further requires that any supplemental petition or answer submitted
under rule 10848 shall not exceed 10 pages, unless otherwise directed by the appeals board.
Amending rule 10865, relating to petitions for reconsideration from arbitration decisions in “carve-out” cases. [NOTE:
Although new rule 10840 generally allows petitions for reconsideration to be filed at any WCAB office, petitions for
reconsideration in carve-out cases are an exception to rule 10840. Because most carve-out cases will never have been in the
WCAB system, petitions for reconsideration in carve-out cases must be filed directly with the appeals board in San
Francisco.]
Amending rule 10866, relating to petitions for reconsideration from arbitrator decisions made under the mandatory or
voluntary arbitration provisions of Labor Code sections 5270 through 5275.
Repealing numerous other rules, whose subject matter will now be covered by the new regulations of the court
administrator, which also became effective on Nov.17, 2008. [NOTE: Thecourt administrator’s new regulations are posted
on the Division of Workers’ Compensation’s Web site at: http://www.dir.ca.
gov/dwc/DWCPropRegs/EAMS_regulations/EAMS_regulations.htm.]
The above summary does not include all of the new, amended, or repealed rules, nor does it purport to fully cover all new
or amended provisions. Members of the workers’ compensation community are encouraged to go to the WCAB and DWC
Web sites to review the complete copies of the new rules of the WCAB and court administrator to adequately familiarize
themselves with all of the changes. Any previously existing WCAB rules that were not amended or repealed still remain in
full force and effect. In its formal notice and public comment rulemaking proceedings, the WCAB had proposed to add rule
10610, regarding the admissibility and service of reports from non-medical experts. However, in light of the numerous
adverse public comments the WCAB received, the WCAB decided not to adopt proposed rule 10610 and instead withdrew
it.
§10397. Restrictions on the Rejection for
Filing of Documents Subject to a Statute of
Limitations or a Jurisdictional Time
Limitation
§10403. Application Required Before
Jurisdiction Invoked and Before
Compelled Discovery May Be
Commenced.
§ 10500. Service by the Workers'
Compensation Appeals Board.
§10505. Service by the Parties or Lien
Claimants.
§10507. Time Within Which to Act When
a Document is Served by Mail, Fax, or
E-Mail.
§10550. Proper Identification of the
Parties and Lien Claimants.
§10561. Sanctions.
§10629. Filing and Listing of Exhibits.
§10770.5. Verification to Filing of Lien
Claim or Application by Lien Claimant.
§10770.6. Verification to Filing of
Declaration of Readiness By or on Behalf
of Lien Claimant.
§10770. Lien Procedure.
§10782. Vexatious Litigants.
§10840. Filing Petitions for
Reconsideration, Removal, and
Disqualification and Answers.
§10842. Contents of Petitions for
Reconsideration, Removal, and
Disqualification and Answers.
§10843. Petitions for Removal and
Answers.
§10844. Petitions for Disqualification and
Answers.
§10865. Reconsideration of Arbitration
Decisions Made Pursuant To-Labor Code
Sections 3201.5 and 3201.7.
§10866. Reconsideration of Arbitrator's
Decisions or Awards Made Pursuant to
the Mandatory or Voluntary Arbitration
Provisions of Labor Code Sections 5270
through 5275.
Filing of Documents Subject to a Statute of
Limitations or a Jurisdictional Time
Limitation
§10403. Application Required Before
Jurisdiction Invoked and Before
Compelled Discovery May Be
Commenced.
§ 10500. Service by the Workers'
Compensation Appeals Board.
§10505. Service by the Parties or Lien
Claimants.
§10507. Time Within Which to Act When
a Document is Served by Mail, Fax, or
E-Mail.
§10550. Proper Identification of the
Parties and Lien Claimants.
§10561. Sanctions.
§10629. Filing and Listing of Exhibits.
§10770.5. Verification to Filing of Lien
Claim or Application by Lien Claimant.
§10770.6. Verification to Filing of
Declaration of Readiness By or on Behalf
of Lien Claimant.
§10770. Lien Procedure.
§10782. Vexatious Litigants.
§10840. Filing Petitions for
Reconsideration, Removal, and
Disqualification and Answers.
§10842. Contents of Petitions for
Reconsideration, Removal, and
Disqualification and Answers.
§10843. Petitions for Removal and
Answers.
§10844. Petitions for Disqualification and
Answers.
§10865. Reconsideration of Arbitration
Decisions Made Pursuant To-Labor Code
Sections 3201.5 and 3201.7.
§10866. Reconsideration of Arbitrator's
Decisions or Awards Made Pursuant to
the Mandatory or Voluntary Arbitration
Provisions of Labor Code Sections 5270
through 5275.
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