10/5/20 – LinkedIn Post

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https://www.dir.ca.gov/DIRNews/2020/2020-37.html

The following changes are effective May 4:

Hearing Procedures Starting May 4

DWC will continue to hear all mandatory settlement conferences, priority conferences, status conferences and expedited hearings telephonically via theindividually assigned judges’ conference lines as announced in DWC’s Newsline issued on April 3.

Beginning May 4, DWC will hear all case-in-chief trials via the individually assigned judges’ conference lines.

All parties should call the conference line for the judge in front of whom the case is set, at the designated time listed on the hearing notice. When prompted, the parties should enter the access code assigned to that line. DWC staff will instruct participants as to the procedure to follow during the call.

All lien trials and lien conferences will be continued during this time. District offices will not hold in-person hearings. DWC will not accept walk-through documents, walk-in filings, or in-person requests.

Trial Exhibits starting May 4

Unless so ordered prior to the day of trial, parties shall be instructed on the day of trial by the assigned workers’ compensation judge of the method and timing of filing of exhibits (8 Cal. Code of Regs. 10787(b)).

Parties shall not email trial exhibits to DWC or WCAB, unless so ordered by the workers’ compensation judge.

Continuing Filing Procedures

DWC will not accept walk-in filings, walk-through documents, or in-person requests at this time. DWC will only accept electronic filing via EAMS and JET File, and paper filing by U.S. mail.

DWC will accept limited email filings pursuant to WCAB’s en banc dated April 6and its Newsline issued on April 23. Email filings are limited to documents that are subject to a statute of limitations that cannot otherwise be efiled, JET filed, or filed by U.S. mail.

DWC has posted additional information to assist parties with filing settlement documents in EAMS. Refer to the district office page for email and other contact information.

DWC will continue to accept an electronic signature on any settlement documents, applications, pleadings, petitions or motions that are sent to the district offices or filed in EAMS. For all e-forms, parties should utilize “S signature” as shown in theE-forms Filing Reference Guide and the JET File Business Rules.

Injured workers who are unable to file utilizing the available options or need assistance may contact DWC’s call center at 909-383-4522.

The WCAB Commissioners’ office is closed to the public for in-person inquiries and requests until further notice. The Commissioners and staff are working remotely during the closure.

The post DWC and WCAB Expand Hearing Schedule at the District Offices appeared first on Pacific Labor Group.

There will be a DWC staff person on the phone to direct you on what to do. If the judge has a heavy calendar, they may ask for your email and instruct you to call back in later after other conferences are taken care of, similar to a decision to take some cases first when handling in-person hearings.

Also beginning April 13, attorneys are expected to appear telephonically if they have a matter on calendar, but judges are expected to be lenient under the circumstances in continuing matters if there is a non-appearance. It is recommended you call in right at 8:30 am or 1:30 pm depending on your hearing notice. DWC will continue to only accept filing by e-filing via EAMS, JET file or by mail. No walk through documents.

The post California Department of Industrial Relations – Require Appearances by Phone appeared first on Pacific Labor Group.

We know all of you are diligently working to determine how best to navigate the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 virus and its consequences, many still unknown.  We too have been evaluating our options and would like to share with you, our valued clients, how Pacific Labor Group is responding to this evolving process.

All Pacific Labor Group offices remain operational in a manner consistent with the Governmental Orders currently in place.  We have extended our existing technology platforms to allow most employees to work from home.  We have been on the leading edge of technology for many years. With our secure, cloud-based, case management system, our attorneys will continue to work on all files and respond to all email inquiries.

For those that do not know, each attorney in our firm can be reached by including the initial for first name and then full last name followed by @pacificlaborgroup.com.  If, for any reason, you are unable to reach the attorney handling a matter, please do not hesitate to reach out to the managing attorney or any partner in our Firm.  You can obtain the cell phone numbers for our attorneys from our website at www.pacificlaborgroup.com.

We will be taking virtual depositions and continue to work with the applicant attorney firms to implement existing web-based technologies. These steps will be a vital part of the discovery process. We will continue to produce the Gold Standard quality work and outcomes you have become accustomed to receiving from Pacific Labor Group over the last 50 years.

This process will continue to evolve, and we want to assure you that as directives change, so will Pacific Labor Group. Please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned or any of us at Pacific Labor Group should you have any questions or concerns.

Most importantly, all of us at Pacific Labor Group wish you well and hope that you, your loved ones, and co-workers stay healthy.  Let us work together, remain positive and look out for one another.

Mark R. Peterson
Managing Partner

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If you were to ask anyone who knew Joe, whether a Judge, doctor, opposing counsel, clients or his many friends and family, a resounding theme unfolds; Joe D’Andre was quite simply a legend in our business. He founded his firm in San Francisco in 1970. He quickly made his footprint known and it became one that others wanted to walk in. People just wanted to be around Joe. Whether it was his determination and extreme breadth of knowledge, or the charisma he would exude when he walked into a room, he just pulled you in. He was comfortable taking center stage but always did so with humility and grace. He was a man that was never boastful despite all his accomplishments, many of them in the face of adversity. In his later waning days Joe was asked how he would like to be remembered. He said, “Just a good guy.” Joe was certainly that and more.

Joe’s grandson wrote something very special the day his grandfather passed. It symbolizes everything the man was about…

Today was my grandfather Joe’s 89th birthday, his 65th wedding anniversary to my grandmother Jean and the day that he passed away.

When I think of my grandfather three words come to mind, perseverance, positivity and class.

Perseverance – While working full time to support his family, my grandfather spent his nights going to law school in order to pursue his dream of practicing law. Joe would take the bar and fail 4 times before finally passing on his 5th attempt. He then built the Pacific Labor Group firm that is still in my family today.

Positivity – Glass half full is an understatement when talking about grandpa Joe. He was an unrelenting optimist with the warmest smile. He had an energy that could light up a room and a positive attitude that affected everyone around him.

Class – My grandfather idolized Frank Sinatra, and it showed, from his fancy clothes to the lavish parties he loved to host and attend. He was always the best dressed guy in the room no matter the occasion. His fancy looks only complimented his ability to engage everyone with a kind handshake and a smile.

I love you gramps and I know you’re at peace now.

Tell the Rat Pack I say hello and save a drink for me. I’ll have a martini, two olives, up.

To our original Legal Lion…” You did it your way. We will all miss you Joe.”

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