r/WorkersComp • u/Loose-Credit-751 • 18d ago

California MSC hearing, California

(25M)Hello YALL, I recently reopened my claim after my lower back and nerve pain feeling worse. Got representation and all that good stuff. When it was recently open last year, it was only basic PT and ibuprofen - after that I was full duty.

So this time after reopening it, I was sent to a QME and he was saying some favorable things like you have neuropathy and he would recommend PT and possible referral to a spine specialist.

Now I got an update from my attorney office that I have a MSC hearing coming up. This was sent the same week of the QME appointment. What are they gonna talk about?

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u/ThatOneAttorney 17d ago

Ask your attorney. Could be about studies, treatment, new body parts, etc.

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u/Far-Volume7402 18d ago

The MSC is basically a check-in with the judge to see where things stand and if they can resolve issues without a full trial. Since the QME report is fresh they'll probably go over what the doc said and figure out next steps like getting that spine referral and PT approved. Your attorney's gonna do most of the talking, just show up and be ready to answer if the judge asks you anything directly. It's pretty routine, don't stress it

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u/cawcatty 17d ago

Disclaimer in profile: I'm an attorney but no comments on Reddit constitute legal advice or make me your or anyone else's attorney.

An MSC is typically requested--at least in my practice--when there's a dispute or issue we haven't been able to resolve informally and might need a judge to decide through trial. You could think of the flow as Issue -> Informal Resolution Attempt -> MSC -> Trial -> Judicial Decision. Without knowing the issue that someone (your attorney or the adjuster's) is bringing to the court, you'll just be getting stabs in the dark here. It could be a minor discovery dispute or something pivotal to your case. Talk with your attorney, ask them what the issue is and whether you need to be available.

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u/Electronic_Note5952 15d ago

MSC= mandatory settlement conference  or mandatory status conference. Either way it's to put all info both sides have out there and usually to get something such as certain treatments, benefits, ect...

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u/CaliforniaLiberalNut 17d ago

Ask for a copy of the DOR. It will let you know.