CompFox AI Summary
This case involved an applicant seeking to reopen his workers' compensation claim due to new and further disability. The WCAB denied reconsideration, upholding the WCJ's decision that the applicant's petition to reopen was barred by the five-year statute of limitations. This was because the petition was improperly filed in the wrong district office, violating WCAB rules requiring filing in the office with venue. Despite the applicant's pro se status and his argument for liberal construction, the majority found no alleged excusable neglect and thus upheld the dismissal. A dissenting opinion argued that the applicant's actions demonstrated mistake and excusable neglect, and that the WCAB should have excused the procedural error to allow a hearing on the merits.
Full Decision Text1 Pages
This case involved an applicant seeking to reopen his workers' compensation claim due to new and further disability. The WCAB denied reconsideration, upholding the WCJ's decision that the applicant's petition to reopen was barred by the five-year statute of limitations. This was because the petition was improperly filed in the wrong district office, violating WCAB rules requiring filing in the office with venue. Despite the applicant's pro se status and his argument for liberal construction, the majority found no alleged excusable neglect and thus upheld the dismissal. A dissenting opinion argued that the applicant's actions demonstrated mistake and excusable neglect, and that the WCAB should have excused the procedural error to allow a hearing on the merits.
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