Paula Castillo — ADJ19196196

Defendant filed a petition for removal from an April 9, 2026 Minutes of Hearing in which the WCJ converted an expedited hearing into an MSC, continued the matter for trial setting, and ordered the adjuster to appear in person, but did not complete a pre-trial conference statement (PTCS) at the MSC. Instead, the WCJ directed the parties to complete and file a PTCS by the end of the next day. Defendant argued applicant improperly raised issues (costs, sanctions, penalties) on the PTCS and that the adjuster should be permitted to appear remotely. The Appeals Board granted removal, finding that setting the matter for trial without completing the PTCS at the hearing and without the WCJ reviewing it with the parties present violated Labor Code section 5502 and defendant's due process rights. As its Decision After Removal, the Board ordered the matter reset for an MSC so the WCJ could review the PTCS with the parties.