DAVID VELASQUEZ vs. PACIFIC ENERGY CONSTRUCTION CORP., AMERICAN COMMERCIAL CLAIMS ADMINISTRATORS

The Appeals Board granted reconsideration and removed the case to itself after the WCJ issued a Findings and Award for applicant's industrial injury including sleep disorder. Subsequently, the parties reached a Compromise and Release (C&R) settlement while the defendant's reconsideration petition was pending. The WCJ improperly approved the C&R after her jurisdiction had expired according to Appeals Board rules. The Board rescinded the prior Findings and Award and WCJ orders, returning the case to the trial level for proceedings on the C&R, and specifically rescinded the WCJ's C&R approval order due to lack of jurisdiction.