SECTIONS 5450-5455 - California Statutes

LABOR CODE

SECTION 5450-5455

5450. The Division of Workers' Compensation shall make available to
employees, employers and other interested parties information,
assistance, and advice to assure the proper and timely furnishing of
benefits and to assist in the resolution of disputes on an informal
basis.

5451. Any party may consult with, or seek the advice of, an
information and assistance officer within the Division of Workers'
Compensation as designated by the administrative director. If no
application is filed, if the employee is not represented, or upon
agreement of the parties, the information and assistance officer
shall consider the contentions of the parties and may refer the
matter to the appropriate bureau or unit within the Division of
Workers' Compensation for review and recommendations. The information
and assistance officer shall advise the employer and the employee of
their rights, benefits, and obligations under this division. Upon
making a referral, the information and assistance officer shall
arrange for a copy of any pertinent material submitted to be served
upon the parties or their representatives, if any. The procedures to
be followed by the information and assistance officer shall be
governed by the rules and regulations of the administrative director
adopted after public hearings.

5453. After consideration of the information submitted, including
the reports of any bureau or unit within the Division of Workers'
Compensation which have been received, the information and assistance
officer shall make a recommendation which shall be served on the
parties or their representatives, if any.

5454. Submission of any matter to an information and assistance
officer of the Division of Workers' Compensation shall toll any
applicable statute of limitations for the period that the matter is
under consideration by the information and assistance officer, and
for 60 days following the issuance of his or her recommendation.

5455. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit any party from filing
an application for benefits under this division. In any proceeding
pursuant to such application, the admissibility of written evidence
or reports submitted by any party pursuant to this chapter, or
Section 5502, shall be governed by Chapter 5 (commencing with Section
5700).