Hess, Cynthia

Cynthia Hess filed a Petition for Removal in a case involving employer AMN Healthcare Services Inc. and TPA Gallagher Bassett Services. The WCAB considered the petition and the WCJ's report regarding the merits of petitioner's arguments. The Board reiterated that removal is an extraordinary remedy granted only when the petitioner shows substantial prejudice or irreparable harm and that reconsideration would not be an adequate remedy. The Board found these standards were not met, noting that the parties would have an opportunity at trial to raise all relevant issues, including the preliminary question of whether applicant's appearance and participation at trial was warranted. The Petition for Removal was denied.