Sampson, Bobby

Defendant Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District (permissibly self-insured, administered by Keenan & Associates) filed a petition for removal challenging the WCJ's October 22, 2025 order taking the matter off calendar (OTOC). Defendant argued the matter should have proceeded to trial and that further development of the record was unwarranted. The WCJ filed a Report recommending denial, and applicant filed no Answer. The Appeals Board, applying the extraordinary-remedy standard for removal, found defendant failed to show substantial prejudice or irreparable harm and that reconsideration would be an adequate remedy if a final adverse decision later issued. The Board denied removal, noting the OTOC did not preclude defendant from refiling a declaration of readiness to proceed when the matter is ready.