Opinion ID: 1280719
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Liberality

Text: Though often stated by the Court, it bears repeating that we look to one polar star for guidance in any workers' compensation case. `The Workmen's Compensation Law is remedial in its nature, and must be given a liberal construction to accomplish the purpose intended.' Syl. pt. 3, McVey v. Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Co., 103 W.Va. 519, 138 S.E. 97 (1927) (citation omitted). Syl. pt. 1, Plummer v. Workers' Compensation Division, 209 W.Va. 710, 551 S.E.2d 46 (2001). The West Virginia Workers' Compensation system exists to the benefit of both employers and employees, freeing employers from lawsuits for simple negligence while ensuring employees compensation for their work-related injuries. The Act is designed to compensate injured workers as speedily and expeditiously as possible in order that injured workers and those who depend upon them for support shall not be left destitute during a period of disability. The benefits of this system accrue both to the employer, who is relieved from common-law tort liability for negligently inflicted injuries, and to the employee, who is assured prompt payment of benefits. Meadows v. Lewis, 172 W.Va. 457, 469, 307 S.E.2d 625, 638 (1983). In restating this principle, we are not unmindful of the perception that our system makes our state less attractive to some businesses. But it is for the Legislature, not the Commissioner, or the courts, to make the difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions necessary to fund the system or limit its expenses. The Commissioner must follow the commands of the Legislature as expressed by statute. In the absence of express statutory authority, it is not the Commissioner's duty to take major steps to limit compensation to deserving workers, or design systems that make recovery less likely. Indeed: [The Workers' Compensation Act] requir[es] the state compensation commissioner in administering the workmen's compensation fund, to ascertain the substantial rights of the claimants in such manner as will carry out justly and liberally the spirit of the act, unrestricted by technical and formal rules of procedure.... Syllabus, in part, Culurides v. Ott, 78 W.Va. 696, 90 S.E. 270 (1916) (citation omitted); Martin v. Workers Compensation Div., 210 W.Va. 270, 275, 557 S.E.2d 324, 329 (2001) (quoting syl. pt. 2, Plummer v. Workers' Compensation Division, 209 W.Va. 710, 551 S.E.2d 46 (2001)). This does not mean that any person claiming an injury should instantly be awarded the maximum possible compensation. We recognize that workers' compensation is not the equivalent of a welfare system. [3] The command of the law that the workers' compensation process be unrestricted by technical and formal rules of procedure means that, if the statutes would provide a worker with compensation, the Commissioner cannot create barriers or hurdles that would prevent that recovery. If the system is not producing the desired results, then the Legislature can change the statute, and in so doing craft a solution suitable to a majority of the electorate. We recognize that the ultimate responsibility for the fiscal health of the West Virginia Workers' Compensation system rests with the Legislature. Balancing the conflicting goals of minimizing premiums while providing full and fair compensation to injured workers is the exclusive province of our publicly-elected legislators, and is not to be invaded by the Commissioner, or the Courts. And so bearing in mind that although the rules and regulations governing the workers' compensation system in this state are necessarily detailed and complex, we must be careful to prevent those deserving of compensation from being thwarted by technicalities or procedural niceties, Martin v. Workers Compensation Div., 210 W.Va. 270, 275, 557 S.E.2d 324, 329 (2001), we turn to an examination of the instant dispute.