Missouri’s Gov. Blunt Tabs Insurance Lawyer to Chair Comp Board

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. –Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt has named an insurance defense attorney as chairman of the state Labor and Industrial Relations Commission. As chairman, Bill Ringer, 56, will represent the public’s interest on appeals of workers’ compensation cases, unemployment benefits and crime victims’ compensation cases. His appointment must be confirmed by the Senate.

The other two members of the commission are charged with representing the interests of employers or employees. Ringer works at the Kansas City office of Evans and Dixon, which primarily defends businesses and insurers in workers’ compensation cases. He also served on the commission in the employer position from 1982-1986 as an appointee of Republican Gov. Kit Bond.

Ringer said he has represented injured employees in only a few cases, which Blunt cited while defending him as an appropriate appointee to the neutral position.

While campaigning for governor, Blunt criticized Democratic Gov. Bob Holden’s appointment of Jacob–then a Democratic senator from Columbia–to the panel’s chairmanship. Blunt contended Jacob wasn’t suited for the neutral position because he was a staunch union supporter.

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Topics Workers' Compensation Missouri