LAURA BERNAL vs. RINCON TAURINO RESTAURANT, INC., CALIFORNIA RESTAURANT MUTUAL BENEFIT CORPORATION

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) granted the defendant's petition for removal, overturning a prior ruling that allowed the applicant to refuse a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) examination based on the QME's refusal to allow audio recording. The WCAB found the applicant's attorney had made "unusual efforts to obstruct the QME process." Applicant is now ordered to attend the QME examination with a court reporter present at the defendant's expense. Failure to comply will result in suspension or barring of disability payments.