Whereas workers' compensation benefits are available to injured employees in every state, workers' compensation laws vastly differ between state to state. Some major differences among states include: the types of injuries covered under each state's workers' compensation laws, how long temporary disability benefits are to be paid, the method in which permanent impairment benefits are calculated, and whether a claimant gets to choose his or her own treating physician. The differences among the states can be confusing and often overwhelming for claims adjusters.

For instance, a claims adjuster experienced in administering workers' compensation claims in Maryland and Pennsylvania may not know even where to begin in administering a comp claim in West Virginia.

“Workers' compensation laws in West Virginia are very specific to this state,” explains Jeffrey M. Carder. “Adjusters are faced with the most important decisions in a claim often before there's opportunity to contact an attorney. That's why it's so important to provide our claims adjusters with the necessary information and proper training before throwing them to the wolves, otherwise known as the West Virginia workers' comp system.”

Mr. Carder has made it his mission this year to educate claims adjusters on how to properly administer a workers' compensation claim in West Virginia. He has designed a 3-hour Workers' Compensation 101 Class in which he covers topics such as compensability, temporary total disability, medical treatment, permanent partial disability, vocational rehabilitation, and permanent total disability.

“Three hours is a long time, but I try to make it fun by engaging directly with the adjusters and swapping stories about our craziest comp claims,” explains Mr. Carder. “I can honestly say that every adjuster who attends my class leaves with the ability to properly administer a workers' compensation claim in West Virginia. At least once a week I get a call or an email from an adjuster thanking me for making their job easier.”

If you or your adjusters are interested in scheduling a free, in-house workers' compensation class with Mr. Carder, please contact Bailey & Wyant, PLLC at (304) 345-4222 or email [email protected]