Ishal, Mashallah

Applicant Mashallah Ishal (deceased), an employee and sole proprietor of Paramount 98 + 1 Cent Only Store, was the subject of a coverage dispute regarding whether the State Compensation Insurance Fund (SCIF) policy covered him. A workers' compensation arbitrator (WCA) found on May 7, 2021 that SCIF was the insurer and that its policy covered applicant. SCIF sought reconsideration, contending the policy clearly excluded applicant as an insured. The Appeals Board did not reach the merits because the arbitration file was never completed in EAMS as required by WCAB Rule 10995, leaving an incomplete record that precluded meaningful review. The Board rescinded the Findings of Fact and returned the matter to the trial level.