Workers’ Comp Topic of Assure America Seminar

10/28/2011

(Weirton Daily Times)

By Craig Howell
Managing editor

WEIRTON – Many changes have taken place over the last few years when it comes to workers’ compensation coverage in West Virginia.

In an attempt to help local businesses better understand the types of programs available and how to manage their coverage, Assure America held a seminar Thursday at the Serbian American Cultural Center.

Approximately 20 individuals, representing a variety of local businesses, as well as the City of Weirton, were in attendance.

Titled “Making Work Comp Work,” the seminar gave a little bit of history on workers’ compensation coverage in West Virginia, with a particular focus on the changes made beginning in 2005.

“We wanted to make it practical,” Assure America Chief Operating Officer John Frankovitch said.

Frankovitch explained prior to 2005, all workers’ compensation coverage available to Mountain State businesses was offered by the State of West Virginia itself.

Employers paid taxes to provide funding for the coverage, and had to hire their own attorneys. In addition, Frankovitch said, the legal system often favored the claimants no matter the situation.

“It was pretty much a do-it-yourself situation,” Frankovitch said.

Beginning in 2003, the Legislature began working to make changes in state statutes, and in 2006 Brickstreet Insurance was formed and the privatization of workers’ compensation was allowed.

“Brickstreet went from being a non-existent entity to the 17th largest compensation carrier in the nation overnight,” Frankovitch said.

In 2008, the state opened workers’ compensation up to all insurance providers filed in the state.

Frankovitch explained between 2005 and 2010, workers’ compensation premiums in West Virginia declined by approximately 44 percent.

He also discussed aspects of the system used by the National Council on Compensation Insurance, which is used to help determine compensation rates for the various types of jobs, and the need for a return to work program.