CHARLESTON — A state government agency is suing a business owner, alleging violation of workers compensation acts.
The state of West Virginia ex rel. Offices of the West Virginia Insurance Commissioner filed a complaint in Kanawha Circuit Court against Betty L. Edwards, doing business as R Bar, alleging failure to maintain its own workers' compensation insurance coverage.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff has been statutorily empowered to monitor and enforce all workers' compensation related laws in West Virginia.
The suit says since the West Virginia workers' compensation system has been privatized, employers such R Bar are required to obtain insurance from private carriers. However, the suit alleges, R Bar defaulted in payments, thus voiding its coverage as mandated by the West Virginia Code.
The plaintiff alleges R Bar failed to obtain and/or maintain coverage for the workers' compensation insurance in violation of the laws of West Virginia.
The state of West Virginia ex rel. Offices of the West Virginia Insurance Commissioner seeks trial by jury, judgment for all fines and penalties and a ruling the defendant obtains valid workers' compensation coverage for itself as required by law. The plaintiff is represented by attorney David Ansell of Legal Services Division in Charleston.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number 18-C-804