Does Hudson have to file a personal injury brief in the Court of Appeal?

That Hudson is representing herself on appeal does not exempt her from the requirements of appellate practice. (Nwosu v. Uba (2004) 122 Cal.App.4th 1229, 1246-1247.) A party who represents himself or herself " 'is to be treated like any other party and is entitled to the same, but no greater consideration than other litigants and attorneys.' " (Id. at p. 1247.)

The absence of a brief from the respondent on appeal does not change these rules. (See Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.220(a)(2); Kennedy v. Eldridge (2011) 201 Cal.App.4th 1197, 1203 ["we do not treat the failure to file a respondent's brief as a 'default' (i.e., an admission of error) but independently examine the record and reverse only if prejudicial error is found"].)