CompFox AI Summary
This case concerns whether an applicant must return to the same Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) for subsequent injury claims. The defendant argued that under Rule 35.5(e), the applicant should be evaluated by the original QME due to overlapping body parts and parties. The Appeals Board granted removal, intending to hold that the Labor Code does not require return to the same QME for new claims. Furthermore, the Board proposes that Rule 35.5(e)'s requirement to use the same QME for new injuries with the same body parts is inconsistent with the Labor Code and thus invalid. The Board is seeking further input from parties and the Division of Workers' Compensation before issuing a final en banc decision.
Full Decision Text1 Pages
This case concerns whether an applicant must return to the same Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) for subsequent injury claims. The defendant argued that under Rule 35.5(e), the applicant should be evaluated by the original QME due to overlapping body parts and parties. The Appeals Board granted removal, intending to hold that the Labor Code does not require return to the same QME for new claims. Furthermore, the Board proposes that Rule 35.5(e)'s requirement to use the same QME for new injuries with the same body parts is inconsistent with the Labor Code and thus invalid. The Board is seeking further input from parties and the Division of Workers' Compensation before issuing a final en banc decision.
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