Ali, Amed Nagi

Applicant, a janitor proceeding in pro per, signed a Compromise and Release (C&R) settling two claimed injuries (specific injuries of January 27, 2017 and August 9, 2017) for $30,000, which the WCJ approved on August 25, 2022 without holding a hearing. Applicant petitioned for reconsideration, arguing the settlement amount was inadequate and did not cover all his injuries. The Board found the petition premature because the WCJ had not held a hearing or developed a record on the basis of the parties' understanding, and noted the C&R itself was deficient because it used vague language like '999; ANY AND ALL PER APPLICATION AND CLAIM FORM' instead of identifying specific body parts. The Board vacated its prior order granting reconsideration, dismissed the petition as premature, and returned the matter to the trial level to treat applicant's petition as one to set aside the OACR and to develop a complete record.