Riggs, Eric

Defendant filed a petition for removal challenging the WCJ's September 15, 2025 order setting the matter for trial, which deferred defendant's consolidation request to the trial judge and did not summarily grant defendant's petition to dismiss. Defendant argued multiple cases should have been consolidated and that its petition to dismiss should have been summarily granted without a hearing. The Appeals Board denied removal, finding defendant failed to demonstrate substantial prejudice or irreparable harm and that reconsideration would be an adequate remedy. The Board noted the parties would have the opportunity to raise consolidation and dismissal issues at trial, and admonished defendant that summary judgment-type procedures (demurrers, judgment on the pleadings, summary judgment) are not permitted under CCR section 10515.