What entity is responsible for adjudicating disputes related to workers' compensation in West Virginia?

The West Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission is the designated entity responsible for adjudicating disputes related to workers' compensation in the state. This commission plays a critical role in managing claims, resolving disputes between employers and employees over benefits and coverage, and ensuring fair administration of the workers' compensation system.

Workers' compensation disputes often arise concerning issues like the compensability of a claim, the amount of benefits, or the medical treatment required, and it is the commission's responsibility to evaluate these disputes based on the evidence and apply the relevant state laws. Their authority allows them to make binding decisions that affect the rights and responsibilities of both employers and employees regarding workers' compensation claims.

In contrast, the other options, such as the West Virginia Supreme Court, while able to handle appeals from the decisions made by the commission, do not directly adjudicate initial workers' compensation disputes. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration focuses on workplace safety regulations rather than workers' compensation claims, and a panel of independent adjusters would serve a supportive role in claims handling rather than an adjudicative one.