A System Strangled By Complexity

The workers’ compensation system was intended to be easy for injured workers to use…

In fact, when originally enacted in California, the State Constitution provided in 1917 that the workers’ compensation system to accomplish substantial justice in all cases “expeditiously, inexpensively, and without the encumbrance of any character”.

Without “encumbrance”? I don’t think so. Look what it takes to file a single document with the Workers Compensation Court:

When filing documents concerning a workers’ compensation case, you must first complete a document cover sheet in addition to any primary forms you will be filing with the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB). You will also be required to submit what is called a “document separator sheet.”

Ultimately, the document separator sheet ensures that the forms you are filing can be read by the WCAB’s Electronic Adjudication Management System (EAMS). Even if you are only submitting one document, the separator sheet will be required.

Here is a link to find the form you can fill out online and print.

5 Steps – To File A Single Document!

A separator sheet is required to provide information about the document that follows it. To fill out the separator, you must follow these instructions:

1) Select the correct “product delivery unit.” Selections will include ADJ, DEU, RSU, VOC or IND. Review the appendix to make sure you select the right one for your specific claim.

2) Select the “document type” for the product delivery unit that you chose. Again, the appendix will help you select the right document type.

3) Select the “document title” from the appendix. Again, it is important to only select from the specific options provided. Be careful not to write anything in that is inaccurate or not listed as an option, otherwise, your documents will not be processed correctly. The web link above makes it easy by providing you with drop-down menus to choose from.

4) Fill in the “document date” using two-digit months and dates with four-digit years, separated by slashes (01/01/2019)

5) Put the name of the person or organization who wrote the document in the “author” box. If you filled out the form, you are the author. If your workers’ comp lawyer or doctor filled it out, then they are considered the author.

Once the forms are complete, the document separator sheet included, you will submit the completed packet to the correct local WCAB office.

Simple, right? Seriously, it’s hard to believe how complicated it is to communicate in writing with the WCAB.

Orange County Workers’ Compensation Attorney

This is just one example of the very specific procedures that must be followed correctly to file a workers’ compensation claim.

It can be confusing, and you will want to ensure you are meeting all the requirements. If you want to talk to an experienced workers’ compensation attorney give us a call at 714-547-5025.

The consultation is always free and confidential. No document separator sheet necessary!