Lee, Jennie

Applicant Jennie Lee sought reconsideration of a January 6, 2023 Findings of Fact in which the WCJ found that defendant timely paid the September 28, 2021 Findings of Fact and Award (F&A). The dispute centered on whether defendant's payment was late and thus triggered a Labor Code section 4650(d) statutory increase. The WCJ's decision rested entirely on a reference to the 'totality of the record' and 'advocacy petitions' without any citation to the evidentiary record or legal analysis. The WCAB found this violated Labor Code section 5313 and the standards set forth in Hamilton, because the decision failed to discuss the evidence or provide reasoned analysis. Because the WCJ had retired, the Board rescinded the decision and returned the matter to the trial level for reassignment to a new WCJ to render a properly supported decision.