Cal. Lab. Code § 2691

Within 10 days of receipt of notice of the award, the party or parties who are required to comply with the terms of the award shall so comply and file proof of such compliance with the commissioner or shall file a notice of appeal with the superior court for the county in which the hearing was held. Upon the filing of such an appeal, a trial de novo shall be held, provided, however, that the decision reached by the panel as stated in the award shall be received as evidence by the trial court.