UNIVERSITY OFCALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA; OCTAGON RISK SERVICES, NORMAN STRICKLAND, WORKERS COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDSTATE OF CALIFORNIANORMAN STRICKLAND,, Applicant,vs.UNIVERSITY OFCALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA; OCTAGON RISK SERVICES, Defendants.Case No. GOL 091045OPINION ANDDECISIONAFTER RECONSIDERATIONAND DENYING REMOVAL On July 23, 2007 we granted defendant’s petition for reconsideration of the Findings and Award of June 11, 2007 in ordeïto allow sufficient opportunity to further study the factual and legal issues in this case. This is our decision after reconsideration. Applicant, while employed as a cook from December 1, 1984 to November 20, 2000, sustained industrial injury to his low back and right foot. Apparently, applicant claims injury to additional body parts. He is not represented by an attorney at this time. On January 8. 2007 a trial was held on the issue of continuing temporary disability. The case was submitted on the record. The Minutes of Hearing include a transcript of one comment by defense attorney and one comment by a workers* compensation consultant. There was no swom testimony. On January 26, 2007 the workers’ compensation administrative law judge (WCJ) issued a Findings and Award awarding continuing temporary disability indemnity. Defendant did not appeal. On January 31, 2007 applicant filed a Petition for Change of Venue from the Goleta district office to the Van Nuys district office, on the ground that he had moved to the San Fernando Valley and intends to remain there. The WCJ denied the petition. On March 20. 2007 applicant filed a Declaration of Readiness to Proceed, requesting a hearing on his petition for change of venue. The case was scheduled for trial on April 18. 2007. After receipt of an Offer of Proof Regarding Defense Witnesses from defendant and a handwritten , response from applicant, the WCJ issued a Findings and Order denying change of venue. In his Opinion on Decision, the WCJ st
