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On July 9, 2013, the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board announced its intent to modify the text of proposed amendments to its Rules of Practice and Procedure that had been the subject of a public hearing on April 16. The announcement stated that written comments regarding the proposed modifications would have to be received by the WCAB by 5 p.m. on July 25.

Following this announcement, some members of the workers’ compensation community requested the WCAB to extend the time for submitting written comments. The WCAB agreed that a limited extension of time was reasonable. Therefore, the WCAB extended the time for submitting written comments by an additional 15 days to Friday, August 9 by 5 p.m. The WCAB will consider only comments it has received by that time.

As previously announced, the proposed modifications to the initially proposed Rules and related documents are posted on the WCAB’s website. The originally proposed new and amended Rules and related documents may also be found at this site.

Additionally, to facilitate further public comments, the WCAB is presently in the process of adding to its website all public comments it has received regarding the proposed Rules amendments. The documents to be posted will include the written comments the WCAB received on or before April 16, a transcript of the April 16, public hearing, and the written comments the WCAB has received in conjunction with the July 9 announcement. The posting of these written comments will be periodically updated until the August 9 closure of the written comment period.

The address for submission of comments by e-mail is WCABRules@dir.ca.gov. The address for submission of comments by mail is: Neil P. Sullivan, Assistant Secretary and Deputy Commissioner, Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, P.O. Box 429459, San Francisco, CA 94142-9459. The address for submission of comments by delivery service or personal delivery is: Neil P. Sullivan, Assistant Secretary and Deputy Commissioner, Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, 455 Golden Gate Avenue, Ninth Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102.

The WCAB will consider all written comments regarding the proposed Rules modifications it receives by Friday, August 9 at 5 p.m. It encourages all interested members of the workers’ compensation community to participate in this important process.