Respondent Ruby Ridgeway, while working for petitioner Grupe Company (Grupe) as a computer operator, injured her upper extremities and neck and was awarded temporary disability payments. Petitioners informed the WCAB that a settlement had been offered but Ridgeway declined to reach a settlement until she had completed her vocational rehabilitation program. However, the final judgment rule, ubiquitous in civil appeals, does not hold sway in the arena of WCAB appeals. The Safeway court looked first to the finality required in order to bring a motion for reconsideration before the WCAB. The WCAB granted reconsideration and found for the employee, holding the injury was compensable and remanding for further hearing on other issues.

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