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Thursday, September 2, 2021

DWC Announces Return of In-Person Hearings

  • State: California
  • Topic: WEST
  • - Popular with: Legal
  • -  0 shares
The California Division of Workers’ Compensation announced that in-person hearings will resume…

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Rick Goldman Sep 2, 2021 a 4:04 am PDT

This is a premature decision given the recent increase in reported COVID-19 cases including hospitalizations and deaths. Large WCAB venues including Oakland, Fresno, San Jose, Los Angeles, Marina Del Rey, Van Nuys, Anaheim, Santa Ana will foster untraceable exposures and risks of infection. This is poor decision on the part of the DIR/WCAB and places and increased risk on the members of the Workers' Compensation community, including Judges, Court Reporters, Attorneys and all their staff and families.

Ernest Buongiorno Sep 2, 2021 a 7:19 am PDT

I concur

Joan Sheppard Sep 2, 2021 a 10:10 am PDT

I concur as well. I would hope that the DIR revisits this decision.

Scott Ashby Sep 2, 2021 a 8:15 am PDT

Left this part out:

https://www.dir.ca.gov/DIRNews/2021/2021-87.html

"DWC requires all visitors to DWC offices to wear face coverings regardless of vaccination status or county mandates, following recommendation from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)."

Valerie Smith Sep 2, 2021 a 10:30 am PDT

This is a reckless decision. There are far too many unvaccinated persons and the risk is too high for those of us required to attend these hearings. I hope the WCAB reconsiders this decision.

Slade Neighbors Sep 2, 2021 a 11:38 am PDT

Makes no sense. Why was everything shut down with COVID 19 but reopened with the more contagious and deadly delta variant? Additionally, this appears to contradict the proposed rules change set for hearing on September 24 to allow virtual trials. Necessity is the mother of invention. The virtual trials appear to work well in most cases, saves time, saves money and is efficient unless it involves multiple witnesses, complicated documents that one needs to show a witness or involves an in pro per applicant who is not tech savvy. So if an applicant gets COVID within ten days of showing up for a trial, can they claim it is industrial as a result of sitting in the waiting room?

Gary Tobia Sep 2, 2021 a 12:07 pm PDT

I've got my M50 military mask.

Franco Mu Sep 4, 2021 a 2:07 pm PDT

I am in agreement that it is premature to return to the courtroom in light of the current variant and the imminent need for booster vaccines. I cannot imagine going to the Oakland/SF WCABs and having to navigate the waiting rooms, which are generally very full. Unlike other places (i.e. colleges, public sector employers, restaurants) there is no requirement that individuals entering a WCAB office be vaccinated so applicant/defense attorneys will be placing their health at risk.
Steve Franco

Kal Attar Sep 2, 2021 a 9:10 am PDT

This is an unbelievably shortsighted and dangerous decision. Reopening now during a surge in COVID cases is baffling. At a time when places like McDonald’s are considering closing indoor dining due to increased cases the WCAB is reopening? This places applicants, attorneys and court staff at risk unnecessarily and the people they interact with in their personal lives. Poorly ventilated WCAB offices and inconsistent vaccination rates is a dangerous combination. This decision could be lethal.

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