Katherine Staudt vs. University of California Los Angeles, SEDGWICK CMS

This case involved the dismissal of the applicant's workers' compensation claims by the administrative law judge (WCJ) for failing to personally appear at a mandatory settlement conference. The applicant, represented by counsel who did attend, sought reconsideration, arguing that her attorney's presence satisfied the appearance requirement under Labor Code § 5700. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted reconsideration, finding that while the applicant did not personally appear, her attorney's presence constituted a valid appearance. The WCAB rescinded the dismissal order, emphasizing the legal preference for hearings on the merits over dismissals.