California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4.5 - Division of Workers' Compensation
Subchapter 1.8.5 - Electronic Adjudication Management System Rules
Article 1.2 - Electronic Filing
Section 10205.6 - Designated Preferred Method of Service

(a) Claims administrators' offices and representatives' offices may designate first class mail, electronic mail or fax as their preferred method of service for receiving documents from the district office and the appeals board. The designated method of service shall be the same for all active cases for that claims administrator's office or representative's office. A party, a lien claimant, or an attorney or other representative for a party or lien claimant who does not or cannot designate a preferred method of service shall be served by first class mail.

(b) A represented party, a lien claimant, or an attorney or other representative for a party or lien claimant may agree with any other represented party, lien claimant, or attorney or other representative for a party or lien claimant that any method of service may be utilized for receiving documents between the parties to the agreement. If such an agreement is made, service pursuant to the agreement shall constitute valid service. Absent such an agreement, service between these parties or entities shall be made by first class mail.

(c) If the service is being made by or on an unrepresented injured worker, unrepresented dependent or unrepresented uninsured employer, then the service shall be made by first class mail.