CECIL MORTON vs. RALPH'S, Permissibly Self-Insured, administered by SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

This case involves a defendant's timely petition for removal to reassign the Workers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge (WCJ) due to procedural irregularities. The Appeals Board granted the removal because the defendant was first notified of the trial judge assignment at a mandatory settlement conference and the assigned WCJ failed to follow proper procedure regarding an "Order Suspending Action" for alleged inadequacy. Consequently, the case is reassigned to a different WCJ to determine readiness for trial.