Barbara Riggs vs. Sears Holdings Corporation, ACE American Insurance Company

This case involves an applicant seeking workers' compensation benefits who claims she cannot find a physician within the defendant's Medical Provider Network (MPN) due to her deafness and past negative experiences. The Administrative Law Judge initially allowed out-of-network treatment based on "exceptional circumstances." However, the Appeals Board granted reconsideration to develop the record, finding that the primary issue is whether the defendant neglected or refused to provide reasonably necessary treatment within its MPN. The Board rescinded the prior order and returned the case for further proceedings to determine if the MPN physician can accommodate the applicant's needs and if the defendant's prior actions constituted neglect or refusal.