W. VA. BEGINS TAGGING FIRMS

Following up on warnings issued earlier this year, West Virginia officials have begun identifying businesses that are operating without workers’ compensation coverage and posting yellow warnings signs on their doors.

Insurance Commission employees tagged 147 businesses in Charleston in the first week of the program, The Associated Press reported. The enforcement effort will be taken statewide.

The signs warn employees who work at the firms and the public that the employer does not have the state-required workers’ compensation coverage. “The notice also says the employer is now personally liable for any cost associated with an employee of theirs who is hurt while on the job,” said Insurance Commissioner Jane Cline.

Officials estimate that 2,000 of the state’s 40,000 businesses do not have workers’ compensation policies. An earlier campaign to advertise the names of employers in default resulted in 120 coming forward to pay and another 111 filing paperwork to terminate their businesses or seek an exemption.

Topics Workers' Compensation Virginia