What the panel ordered
The WCAB rescinded the WCJ's February 12, 2020 Joint Findings of Fact and Orders and returned the matter to the trial level for further proceedings and decision by the WCJ.
The WCJ issued Joint Findings of Fact and Orders on February 12, 2020, which were reconsidered by the WCAB. The WCAB rescinded the WCJ's decision and returned the matter to the trial level for further proceedings.
What was disputed, and how it came out
Each issue the panel decided, with the reasoning it gave. An outcome is what this panel did on this record — not a rule, and not a prediction.
The WCJ found the lien claimants' declarations invalid because the declarations were signed by someone other than the declarant without proper authorization, making them incompetent to testify to the facts stated. The WCAB agreed with the WCJ's rationale and found no direct link between the declarant and the declarations, invalidating the liens.
The facts that decided it
What the panel treated as outcome-determinative, and which side it favoured.
Favours Defendant prevailed
This lack of direct link and authorization led to the WCJ and WCAB finding the declarations incompetent and invalid, resulting in dismissal of liens.