Greene, Richard

Applicant Richard Greene sustained a cumulative injury (psyche, cervical spine, hearing loss) while employed as an underwriter, and after a 2024 MRI revealed a C1-2 lesion, he sought an additional QME panel in neurosurgery. The WCJ's September 2, 2025 Findings and Order granted an unlimited neurosurgery QME panel, found no waiver or estoppel of that right, and quashed defendant's notice for applicant to appear and testify at trial under Code of Civil Procedure section 1987. Defendant sought removal, arguing lack of good cause for the additional panel and denial of due process from being unable to cross-examine applicant, and also requested the WCJ's replacement. The Appeals Board treated the petition as one for reconsideration because the order was a hybrid decision containing final findings on employment and industrial injury, granted reconsideration, and ordered the matter set for a status conference. The Board found it unclear whether the record was sufficient to support the WCJ's decision and deferred a final decision on the merits.