Commissioner Roger Williams Memoriam

Commissioner Roger Williams Memoriam

Press Release Date

Roger Williams

The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission is saddened to announce the death of Commissioner Roger L. Williams on October 11, 2016, following a courageous battle with brain cancer.

“Roger was a visionary leader, accomplished jurist and friend at the Commission,” said Chairman Wesley G. Marshall. “His drive to excellence and dedication to improving Virginia’s workers’ compensation system for all stakeholders will continue to inspire us. We mourn his loss and extend our deepest sympathies to his family.”

Commissioner Williams was appointed to the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission in 2008. He served as Chairman from 2012-2015. He was instrumental in launching the VWC’s internationally-recognized technology-based Alternative Dispute Resolution program. He was also actively engaged in the development of Virginia’s medical fee schedule regulation.

Mr. Williams received his B.S. from Washington and Lee University in 1975 and his J.D. from University of Richmond in 1980. From May 1980 to May 2008, Mr. Williams was engaged in the private practice of law with an emphasis on insurance defense litigation and workers’ compensation. Commissioner Williams was recognized as a national leader in Southern Association of Workers’ Compensation Administrators (SAWCA), the National Association of Workers’ Compensation Judges, (NAWCJ), and as a Fellow of the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers.

Commissioner Williams is survived by his wife Annie and their two children, Matt and Lauren. A celebration of his life will be held Friday, October 14th at 2:00PM at Welborne United Methodist Church, 920 Maybeury Dr., Richmond, VA 23229. A reception will follow at the Richmond Country Club, 12950 Patterson Ave., Henrico, VA 23238.

 

About The Commission

The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission (VWC), established in 1918, is an independent judicial and administrative state agency which 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. A 2016 Oregon study ranked Virginia as the fifth-lowest cost system in the nation. Leading the way in electronic data and claims filing systems, in 2016 VWC processed over 47,000 claims and issued over 3,800 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 the VWC, visit www.workcomp.virginia.gov. For more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Charles Steepleton at 1-877-664-2566 or email questions@workcomp.virginia.gov.