Helen Dawson — ADJ20528668

Applicant Helen Dawson, a substitute teacher claiming a December 3, 2024 injury to her lumbar spine, bilateral knees, bilateral shoulders, and right hip, executed Stipulations with Request for Award settling her case in chief, which the WCJ approved by Award. Acting in pro per, she sought removal of the Award, contending she signed the Stipulations based on a material misunderstanding and lack of informed consent. The Board determined the Award resolved her claim for benefits and was therefore a final order, treating her petition as one for reconsideration. Because there was no developed record to evaluate whether good cause existed to set aside the Stipulations and Award, the Board dismissed the petition as premature. It returned the matter to the trial level so the WCJ could treat the petition as one to set aside the Award, conduct further proceedings, and create a record for decision.