CONNIE BERRY vs. LAWRENCE BERKELEY NATIONAL LABORATORY, SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration to address the defendant's challenge to the WCJ's findings. The WCJ had questioned the credibility of QME Dr. Wolfson's medical opinions based on his billing practices, appointing a new evaluator and referring the billing to the Medical Director. The WCAB found these actions premature, stating that the parties had not yet had an opportunity to conduct discovery into Dr. Wolfson's billing practices. Therefore, the WCAB rescinded the WCJ's orders, substituted new findings and orders to allow for further development of the record on Dr. Wolfson's billing, and returned the matter for further proceedings.