What happened to the Second Injury Fund as of July 1, 2003?

The Second Injury Fund was eliminated on July 1, 2003. This decision was part of a broader reform in West Virginia's workers' compensation system aimed at reducing costs and streamlining benefits for injured workers. Before its elimination, the fund was designed to provide additional benefits for workers who sustained a second injury, which could complicate their recovery and increase their need for assistance. The elimination of the fund reflects changes in how workers' compensation liabilities are managed, as well as a shift towards a more sustainable and equitable system for handling workplace injuries.

In contrast, other options imply modifications or expansions that did not occur. The fund was not retained with new regulations, expanded, or merged with another fund, indicating that significant changes were made, leading to the conclusion that the Second Injury Fund was completely removed from the workers' compensation framework in West Virginia.