Court Opinion

ID: 9625622
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 07:46:03.672139+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:06:12.073528
License: Public Domain

ALBRIGHT, Justice,
concurring.
(Filed Dec. 8, 2003)
I agree with the result achieved through the majority -opinion. I write separately, however, to accentuate the significance of the procedural rules applicable to contested cases dealing with wage collection, as recited in Title 42, Series 20 of the West Virginia Code of State Regulations. The majority opinion’s failure to include any meaningful discussion of the regulation should not be interpreted to in any manner minimize the authority of the Division to proceed under such regulation. The procedure delineated therein is properly authorized by West Virgi*730nia Code § 21-5-11 and § 21-5-13. It represents a reasonable and legitimate method to be utilized in ascertaining, in the first instance, the proper resolution of a contested wage payment and collection issue, the proper parties, and the amounts, if any, in controversy in the judgment of the Commissioner of Labor. The regulation remains in full force and effect.
The only limitation imposed by this Court’s opinion is that the Division does not possess the ultimate authority to award damages based upon its findings. This Court correctly concludes that a judicial action is required to enforce the provisions of the statute against an unwilling employer. However, the majority opinion fails to discuss the dignity to be accorded in a subsequent judicial proceeding to administrative findings made in a hearing held pursuant to the regulation. I respectfully suggest that the administrative finding remains binding on all the parties and, in practice, determines the proper damages to be awarded in a subsequent judicial proceeding required by West Virginia Code § 21-5-12, except as additional damages, if any, may be awarded as a result of the need to prosecute a suit to enforce the act.
For those reasons, I respectfully concur with the otherwise complete and thorough majority opinion. I am authorized to state that Justice McGraw joins me in this concurring opinion.