“Very thankful for everything they did for us. Always responsive, reassured us every step of the way and obtained a great result.”
Miguel Orellana
✦ Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law — Certified by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization ✦
Serving injured workers across California. Board-certified specialist; no fee unless we win.
By Eman Yazdchi, Esq. · Certified Specialist in Workers' Compensation Law, State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization
In California, Labor Code §5950 requires a Writ of Review challenging a WCAB decision on reconsideration to be filed with the California Court of Appeal within 45 days of the WCAB's decision — the final appellate step in the workers' compensation case. Yazdchi Law handles California §5950 writ proceedings statewide.
California Labor Code §5950 establishes the 45-day deadline for filing a Writ of Review with the California Court of Appeal challenging a final WCAB decision on reconsideration. The §5950 California writ is the only appellate path from the WCAB into the state court system, and it must be exercised within 45 days of the WCAB's decision on reconsideration under California Labor Code §5900 and California Labor Code §5903. Missing the §5950 California 45-day deadline ends the case — the WCAB decision becomes final and unreviewable.
Under California Labor Code §5950, the California Writ of Review is a petition filed with the Court of Appeal asking the appellate court to review a WCAB final decision on reconsideration for legal error. The §5950 California writ is discretionary — the Court of Appeal can deny the writ summarily, without an explanation, and most §5950 California writs are summarily denied. When granted, the §5950 writ proceeds on the WCAB record and is decided on the law, not on new evidence.
Under California Labor Code §5900 (Petition for Reconsideration framework) and California Labor Code §5903 (25-day deadline + grounds), the California reconsideration system inside the WCAB is the prerequisite for §5950 writ review. A California worker or insurer must first file a §5903 Petition for Reconsideration within 25 days of the workers' compensation judge's decision (or 20 days if served electronically), exhaust the WCAB reconsideration process, and only then has standing to file a California Labor Code §5950 writ with the California Court of Appeal.
Under California Labor Code §5950, the California Court of Appeal reviews WCAB decisions for legal error: misapplication of the law, lack of substantial evidence supporting WCAB findings, denial of due process, or jurisdictional defects. The §5950 California writ does NOT relitigate factual findings the WCAB made — the appellate review accepts WCAB factual findings when supported by substantial evidence. The §5950 California writ is the legal-error appellate path, not a second factual hearing.
Under California Labor Code §5950, the California appellate pathway runs in three layers: (1) California Labor Code §5903 Petition for Reconsideration to the WCAB en banc within 25 days mailed (20 days electronic), (2) California Labor Code §5950 Writ of Review to the California Court of Appeal within 45 days of the WCAB's reconsideration decision, and (3) review by the California Supreme Court when the Court of Appeal rules. Each California layer has its own timing.
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Tap to call →Last reviewed by Eman Yazdchi, Esq., May 2026.
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