MARY FISHER vs. MET LIFE INSURANCE, NATIONAL UNION FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY
The Appeals Board granted the applicant's Petition for Removal to rescind the WCJ's order closing discovery and continuing the case to trial. The WCJ erred by converting a status conference into a mandatory settlement conference without adequate notice to the applicant, thereby unfairly precluding her from obtaining a required vocational expert report. Since the applicant did not expect discovery to close at the initial status conference, the Appeals Board returned the matter for a proper MSC and further proceedings.