COMMISSION TO OVERSEE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

The West Vir-ginia Insurance Com-mission is preparing for Jan. 1, 2006, when it will be responsible for the state workers’ compensation system, as the West Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission ceases to exist and becomes the West Virginia Employers’ Mutual Insurance Co., a private company, regulated like any other insurance carrier by Insurance Commissioner Jane Cline.

The Workers’ Compensation Fraud Unit transferred to Cline July 1, and is expected to grow from 85 employees to more than 400 by Jan. 1.

One of the challenges facing the Insurance Commission will be to establish and manage several funds such as an uninsured fund for injured workers and an adverse risk pool.