Samer Abo Dleaa — ADJ11064081

Essential Interpreting filed a Petition for Costs seeking the $717.77 balance on a $1,000 full-day Arabic interpreting bill for applicant Samer Abo Dleaa's 3/12/2018 deposition, after State Fund paid only $282.23. The interpreter, Nabila Rizk, held only U.S. District Court certification and was not certified under California law per the State Personnel Board or California Courts websites as required by 8 CCR 9795.1.5. The WCJ found Essential dishonestly billed the non-certified interpreter as certified, that no agreement existed to deem her 'provisionally certified,' and that the lien was barred because Essential failed to request a second bill review under Labor Code 4603.2 (per Meadowbrook). The WCAB denied reconsideration, adopting and incorporating the WCJ's Report, noting that ignorance of the law is no excuse for an entity holding itself out as an interpreting services provider.