West Virginia Court Awards Benefits to Rhode Island Widow

The West Virginia Supreme Court says a Rhode Island woman whose husband died of carbon monoxide poisoning at a hotel is entitled to West Virginia workers’ compensation benefits.

The state Workers’ Compensation Board of Review had ruled Louise Moran could not receive the West Virginia benefits because she had earlier been awarded benefits in Rhode Island.

The high court last week overturned the board’s finding, saying Moran was eligible for benefits because those awarded in Rhode Island were suspended in December 2014 after she settled a civil action.

William J. Moran of Warwick, Rhode Island, was employed by a Rhode Island contractor and was staying at a South Charleston hotel when a carbon monoxide leak from the swimming pool’s heating unit killed him and sickened several other people in January 2012.

Gov. Jim Justice Appoints Ex-Chief of Staff to State Board

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has appointed his former chief of staff to the state Workers’ Compensation Board of Review.

Charleston lawyer Nick Casey told The Charleston Gazette-Mail on Wednesday that his appointment was unexpected and appreciated. The board is a three-member judicial panel that hears appeals of workers’ compensation claims.

Casey replaces W. Jack Stevens as a Democrat board member. By statute, the position pays a salary of over $103,000.

Justice switched parties from Democrat to Republican on Aug. 3. He said in an Aug. 14 statement that Casey was no longer his chief of staff. Casey, who begins work in his new position on Jan. 2, is also a former state Democratic Party chairman.

The state Senate will have to confirm Casey’s appointment during the 2018 regular session.

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