Laozi Li, Jonathan

Applicant Jonathan Laozi Li sustained an industrial injury to his neck, low back, and psyche while working as a store manager in 2011, and settled his claim in 2020 with an award for future medical treatment to be provided through defendant's MPN. After relocating to Hawaii, applicant was unable to secure treatment, with care stopping in late 2021 and a string of failed attempts to obtain providers within defendant's network. The WCJ found that defendant unreasonably delayed or refused medical treatment in violation of the August 18, 2020 award and deferred the issues of cost of treatment and the amount of penalties and attorney's fees under Labor Code sections 5814 and 5814.5. Defendant petitioned for reconsideration, arguing reliance on uncorroborated applicant testimony and that jurisdictional challenges and provider refusals were outside its control. The Appeals Board treated the petition as one for removal because the challenged findings were interlocutory, found no significant prejudice or irreparable harm, and denied the petition.