HEIDI KIRKWOOD vs. VERIZON CALIFORNIA, INC., AMERICAN HOME ASSURANCE COMPANY, SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board dismissed the defendant's petition for reconsideration as the WCJ's order was procedural and not a final determination. The Board granted the defendant's petition for removal, rescinded the WCJ's order to reopen discovery, and returned the case for a decision based on the existing record. This action was taken because the discovery closure date had passed, no party requested further development of the record, and reopening would cause undue delay. The Board admonished the defendant for improperly titling their petition as one for reconsideration.