Briggs, Carolyn

The WCJ issued a Findings of Fact and Award on August 28, 2024, that modified previously approved May 1, 2018 stipulations by raising applicant's average weekly wage to $1,210.52 and temporary disability rate to $807.01 (versus the stipulated $763.87), and disallowed defendant's claimed credit for leave benefits. Defendant, the County of Los Angeles (self-insured, adjusted by Sedgwick), petitioned for reconsideration arguing the WCJ exceeded her powers by altering the stipulations without consent more than six years after approval and by improperly disallowing the credit. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration but deferred a final decision pending further review of the merits, citing the voluminous record (51 exhibits, 19 trial days over four years) and the parties' failure to provide adequate guidance. The Board also admonished defense counsel for filing a three-page petition lacking citations to the record or legal authority in violation of WCAB Rule 10945. The grant was a non-final order to allow time to achieve a substantial understanding of the record.