What the panel ordered
Petition for reconsideration granted. The WCJ's order was amended to permit provision of the prior QME's report to the current QME and to allow defendant to advise the QME of certain reasons for claim denial, but not to detail contested facts.
Applicant sought removal of the WCJ's Findings and Order dated March 3, 2021, which precluded the current QME from reviewing the prior QME's report and required revision of defendant's QME letter. The WCAB treated the petition as one for reconsideration and reviewed the merits.
What was disputed, and how it came out
Each issue the panel decided, with the reasoning it gave. An outcome is what this panel did on this record — not a rule, and not a prediction.
Dr. Taylor's report is relevant to the medical issues in dispute and may be provided to the current QME. Defendant may advise the QME of claim denial for lack of medical evidence and the good faith personnel action defense, but not detail contested facts.
The facts that decided it
What the panel treated as outcome-determinative, and which side it favoured.
Dr. Taylor's report was obtained in accordance with the Labor Code and there is no basis to preclude its review by the current QME.