The claimant and the insurer appealed the Tribunal’s refusal to grant an adjournment of a hearing addressing a catastrophic impairment status. The Tribunal refused to allow the adjournment despite both parties requesting the adjournment due to their unavailability. The Court acknowledged that it rarely reviewed interlocutory orders, but agreed to do so in the exceptional circumstances. The Court held that the Tribunal’s refusal to grant the adjournment failed to consider the complexity of the case, the legitimate competing obligations of counsel, and prejudice to the parties if an adjournment was not granted. The decision also failed to balance the Tribunal’s interest in the administration of justice with the interests of the parties. The Court ordered the Tribunal to vacate the hearing dates and re-schedule the hearing for later dates acceptable to both parties and their counsel.
