Reminder: WCALJ Toll-Free Conference Lines and Access Codes, Effective Monday April 13
Last week, a WCAB/DWC Newsline announced the modified calendar and updated WCAB hearing and filing procedures that the state has adopted to allow the workers’ compensation claims adjudication process to continue during the COVID-19 crisis.
As noted in the Newsline, effective Monday, April 13 WCAB District Offices will no longer hold in-person hearings, and all trials and lien conferences have been continued until further notice. In addition, instead of using the Court Call system that has been utilized up to this point, all WCALJs in the state will begin to hold hearings (including mandatory settlement conferences, priority conferences, status conferences and expedited hearings) using toll-free conference lines and access codes. Parties should call the conference line for the judge in front of whom the case is set, at the designated hearing time listed on the hearing notice. When prompted, parties should enter the access code assigned to that line. A DWC staff member will then answer the call and direct the caller on how to proceed. Depending on the judge’s calendar, callers may be asked for their email address and be instructed to call back once the judge becomes available. The attached email from WCALJ Joel Harter provides additional details on the new conference call process.
This week the WCAB posted a downloadable list of the WCALJ conference lines and access codes that will need to be used for court appearances beginning on Monday. That list can be accessed here. DWC is also maintaining the list of Judges’ Conference Lines under “Office Closure Information” on the DWC website here.
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