The Department of Industrial Relations and the Division of Workers’ Compensation with great sadness announced the passing of Workers’ Compensation Judge Rosa Moran, who died unexpectedly this past weekend. She was reportedly on medical leave from the Oakland office where she served as a workers’ compensation judge.

Rosa Moran’s state career spanned 11 years. She joined DWC as a workers’ compensation judge in 2005, and led DWC as Administrative Director from July 2011 to September 2012 when she resigned that position. Prior to her state service, Moran was a workers’ compensation applicant attorney in private practice from 1988 to 2005. As head of DWC, Moran managed a staff of over 1,000 and a budget of $155 million.

She was an active lecturer at attorney conferences and risk management seminars, served as a judge liaison member of the Bay Area Bench and Bar Association and was the author of many seminal decisions in the workers’ compensation arena. She received her undergraduate degree from University of the Pacific in Stockton and a law degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law.

Moran was part of a statewide fact-gathering tour with DIR Director Christine Baker. The pair were reportedly involved in negotiations to produce a workers’ comp proposal in secret, working with labor and a handful of large, self-insured employers.The proposal became Senate Bill 863.

She was well respected and well liked in the workers’ compensation community.