Bibiano Ponce Parra — ADJ16505110, ADJ17564259

Cost petitioner Marjorie Martinez Interpreting provided Spanish translation services at the reading and signing of a joint Compromise and Release for applicant Bibiano Ponce Parra and billed $350.00 (half-day rate) for December 8, 2023 services in Riverside; defendant paid only $175.00. The WCJ found AD Rule 9795.3(b)(2) applied and denied additional payment, sanctions, and attorney's fees, but ordered defendant to produce benefit printouts and EORs. Defendant sought removal of the discovery order and cost petitioner sought reconsideration of the finding that subsection (b)(2) applied. The Board denied defendant's removal petition (finding no irreparable harm from a non-final discovery order), granted cost petitioner's reconsideration petition, held that translation of a C&R falls under AD Rule 9795.3(b)(1) (analogous to an appeals board hearing), and found defendant liable for an additional $175.00 to reach the $350.00 market rate. The Board deferred sanctions, penalties, costs, interest, attorney's fees, and the document production issue, returning the matter to the WCJ.