Who decides disputes regarding whether a COI affects the integrity of the evaluation?

The determination of whether a conflict of interest (COI) affects the integrity of an evaluation is ultimately made by the Workers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge (WCALJ) assigned to the case. This is because the WCALJ has the authority to make legal findings and decisions based on the evidence and arguments presented by both parties in a workers' compensation dispute.

The WCALJ is trained to assess the implications of any potential COI within the context of the evaluation. They ensure that all evaluations are conducted fairly and impartially, upholding the principles of justice within the workers' compensation system. Their role is crucial in resolving issues that could compromise the fairness of the evaluation, hence their decisions carry authoritative weight.

In contrast, the roles of the injured worker's attorney, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, and the employer's representative do not involve making determinations about the integrity of specific evaluations regarding potential conflicts of interest during the evaluation process. Each of these parties has different responsibilities and does not have the same level of authority in assessing the impact of COIs as the WCALJ does.