The Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission Releases 2022 Annual Report

Press Release Date

[Richmond, VA]- Today, the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission (VWC) released its 2022 Annual Report. The report provides a summary of key initiatives, trends and outcomes for the Commonwealth’s workers’ compensation system and other programs administered by the Commission. The annual report can be viewed or downloaded by clicking the links below.

VWC's Annual Report- web friendly version

VWC's Annual Report- downloadable .pdf version

“The Commission continues to meet its commitment to stakeholders across all service levels, while also being chosen as a 2022 Top Workplace in Virginian by the Richmond Times Dispatch." said VWC’s Chairman, Robert A. Rapaport. “Our Petition for Medical Treatment pilot continues to gain acceptance with ongoing development in 2023 and our waitlist for mediations was eliminated as a result of a new scheduling platform being implemented. All of this could not be achieved without the timeless work performed by everyone at the Commission and the Virginia Victims Fund on behalf of the citizens of the Commonwealth."

There were over 278,000 First Reports of Injury reports filed with 37,842 major workplace injuries reported in 2022. A breakdown by Virginia localities can be seen here. The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Team conducted approximately 4,000 events. Additionally, of the 33,053 claim forms processed, 86% were hearing-level requests resulting in 570 appellate decisions rendered.

Key highlights noted in the 2022 Annual Report include:

  • Recognition as a 2022 Top Workplace in Virginia;
  • Continued success in the Judicial Division’s Alternative Dispute Resolution mediation program, with an 91% success rate for Full and Final Mediations, along with a 4% increase in Issue Facilitation Rates from 2021;
  • Completion of enhanced technology, offering new applications and enhanced functionality of multiple department applications;
  • Growth of VWC's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative to include six sub-committees and national presentations;
  • Recognition of agency employees receiving awards from and participating on boards of national and international organizations;
  • Completion of a classification and compensation study to align current employees' salaries with newly developed pay grades;
  • Successful compliance with the Virginia Information Technologies Agency’s (VITA) information security standards; and
  • Continued team member support of community service initiatives as a way of giving back to communities across the Commonwealth.

The report also features the financial results of the agency and the Virginia Victims Fund (officially the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund) for Fiscal Year 2022, as well as a look ahead to its 2023 initiatives.

About The Commission

The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission (VWC), established in 1918, is an independent judicial and administrative state agency that oversees the workers’ compensation system for employees, employers, and insurers. VWC interprets and applies the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act and resolves claims through hearings and mediation.

The Commission is led by a Senior Leadership team consisting of three Commissioners, an Executive Director and a Chief Deputy Commissioner. Commissioners are selected by the General Assembly and serve six-year terms. Honorable R. Ferrell Newman, Honorable Wesley G. Marshall and Honorable Robert A. Rapaport currently serve as Commissioners. The Commissioners elect a Chairman to serve a three-year term. Commissioner Rapaport currently serves as Chairman. Ms. Evelyn V. McGill is the Commission’s Executive Director and the Honorable James J. Szablewicz is the Commission’s Chief Deputy Commissioner.

Leading the way in electronic data and claims filing systems, in 2021 VWC processed over 34,000 claims and issued over 3,000 judicial opinions. VWC also administers the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund, the Uninsured Employer’s Fund, and adjudicates claims under the Virginia Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Program. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, VWC operates regional offices in Bristol, Virginia Beach, Roanoke, Harrisonburg, Manassas and Fairfax.

For more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please email Charles Steepleton or call 877-664-2566.