Lab. Code, §§ 5900, 5903; Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8, §§ 10600, 10605
Petitions for reconsideration must be filed within 20 days of service of the final decision, with extensions for service by mail and weekends/holidays.
The Appeals Board found defendant's petition timely because service was properly effectuated on June 12, 2026, and the petition was filed June 30, 2026, within the allowed time.
From the decision · page 5DISCUSSION
We preliminarily address the issue raised by the WCJ as to the timeliness of defendant’s
Petition.
We observe that there are twenty (20) days allowed within which to file a petition for
reconsideration from a “final” decision, plus five (5) calendar days if a party has been served by
mail upon an address in California. (Lab. Code, §§ 5900(a), 5903; Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8, §
10605(a)(1).) This time limit is extended to the next business day if the last day for filing falls on
a weekend or holiday. (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8, § 10600.) In addition, if the party to be served is
outside of California, but within the United States, the time in which to act is extended ten (10)
calendar days from the date of service, or thirty (30) days total. (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8, §
10605(a)(2).)
This time limit is jurisdictional and, therefore, the Appeals Board has no authority to
consider or act upon an untimely petition for reconsideration. (Maranian v. Workers’ Comp.
Appeals Bd. (2000) 81 Cal.App.4th 1068, 1076 [65 Cal.Comp.Cases 650]; Rymer v.
Lab. Code, §§ 5803, 5001; Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8, §§ 10628, 10629, 10700
The Appeals Board has continuing jurisdiction to rescind, alter, or amend any order for good cause upon notice and opportunity to be heard.
The Appeals Board exercised its continuing jurisdiction to rescind the OACR and return the matter to the WCJ for further proceedings due to errors and incomplete medical reports.
From the decision · page 6Accordingly, and to observe due process
for all parties, we interpret WCAB Rule 10605 as extending the time to file for all parties after
being properly served.
Defendant filed the Petition on June 30, 2026, which is less than 20 days after the June 12,
2026 service on the parties of the WCJ’s OACR.
Accordingly, defendant’s Petition is timely.
IV.
Subject to the limitations of section 5804, “[t]he appeals board has continuing jurisdiction
over all its orders, decisions, and awards made and entered under the provisions of [Division 4]...
At any time, upon notice and after the opportunity to be heard is given to the parties in interest,
the appeals board may rescind, alter, or amend any order. decision, or award, good cause appearing
therefor.” (Lab.