'To Whom It May Concern' Letter Pivotal to Appeal

A self-represented applicant lost his chance to appeal an apportioned award after 45 days passed without his taking appropriate legal action, the California 5th District Court of Appeal ruled this week.The court said in Jose Gallo v. WCAB, F053819, 10/31/2007, that his petition for writ of review needed to be filed within 45 days of a Workers' Compensation Appeals Board decision. He objected that a trial court refused to consider further medical evidence during his claim proceeding, after discovery had closed, and the board refused to reconsider.Because Gallo filed his petition for wr...