Blunt, Rebecca

Defendant CDCR (legally uninsured, adjusted by State Compensation Insurance Fund) sought reconsideration or removal of the Appeals Board's July 22, 2025 'Opinion and Order Granting Petition for Reconsideration' (Grant), arguing the Board lacked jurisdiction because applicant's original petition for reconsideration was allegedly denied by operation of law under Labor Code section 5909. The Board addressed its jurisdiction under amended section 5909, which now runs the 60-day deadline from the date a trial judge transmits a case to the Appeals Board (reflected in EAMS Events), and found it timely acted by the October 20, 2025 deadline. Recognizing a split of authority pending before the California Supreme Court (Mayor v. WCAB, S287261; City of Salinas (Miraco), S293212) on whether a grant-for-further-study is a final order and whether the Board retains jurisdiction beyond 60 days, the Board granted defendant's petition to preserve its rights. The Board emphasized its continuing jurisdiction and that the order is not final on the merits. A final decision after reconsideration was deferred pending further review.