Legal Question in Workers Comp in California

There are a few reasons for a MSC. The primary reason is where either party believes that the case in chief is ready for settlement, so they file a Declaration of Readiness to Proceed (DOR) to set the matter for a hearing date.

Note that on the day of the MSC, discovery is closed, meaning, that you are no longer able to include medical reports after the day of the MSC.

Other reasons might include a hearing on one issue only, e.g., AOE/COE, TTD, etc.

Having a worker's compensation case opened for 4 years is not that unusual, depending on several factors - complexity of case, how far the defense wants to push their position, how far your lawyer want's to push his/her position, bad doctor's reports, objected to doctor's reports, wait times for AMEs. PQMEs, cross x's of doctors, etc.

I would contact your attorney's office and request a meeting about the MSC. Find out who filed the DOR, and if it was the defense, did your attorney object to the DOR? If it was your attorney, ask him what medical reports he's relying on.

If you would like a free consultation, I ask that you first meet with your attorney and give him the opportunity to explain what is happening with your case. If you are not satisfied with his/her response, please feel free to contact me at 1.877.505.INJURY (4658), or go to my website at www.lupofflaw.com to learn more about my practice.