JONA DUNCAN vs. J.M. KECKLER MEDICAL COMPANY INC, REDWOOD FIRE AND CASUALTY, BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY (ENDURANCE INSURANCE)
This case involves a workers' compensation claim for cumulative trauma injury to the lower back and right leg. The applicant, Jona Duncan, claims injury while employed by J.M. Keckler Medical Company, Inc. The insurer, Redwood Fire and Casualty, filed a petition for removal, arguing that the issuance of an arbitrator panel by the WCJ would prematurely cut off discovery. The WCAB denied removal, finding the petition premature and lacking a showing of significant prejudice or irreparable harm. The Board adopted the WCJ's report, which stated that Redwood's fears of lost discovery were unsubstantiated and that Endurance had indicated contribution proceedings would only commence after the case-in-chief was resolved.