Viele v. DCMA

C. W. Simon, Jr., J.

Plaintiff Robert Viele appeals by leave granted from a decision of the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board dismissing his claim for disability benefits against defendants Great Lakes Steel and Southwest Marine, Inc., after finding that the doctrine of res judicata barred plaintiff’s claim. Southwest Marine cross-appeals seeking a remand to the wcab if its decision is reversed. We reverse and remand.

On December 12, 1983, plaintiff, in propria persona, filed a petition in the Workers’ Disability Compensation Bureau seeking compensation benefits for a left-hand disability.…