To judiciously service Michigan's employees, employers and insurers by expeditiously addressing and impartially resolving claims for review (appeals) of decisions involving the award of worker's compensation benefits, and by serving as a buffer to the Court of Appeals.

PROGRAM STATEMENT

The Workers' Compensation Appellate Commission (Commission) services Michigan's employees and employers by addressing and resolving their worker's compensation appeals expeditiously, impartially and in a judicious manner. The Commission receives its caseload when decisions issued by the Bureau of Worker's Disability Compensation and Board of Magistrates are disputed and appealed. Act 103 of the Public Acts of 1985 (Act) created the Commission as an independent body with the power and authority to review decisions written and issued by the Bureau director, hearing referees and magistrates. The Commission endeavors to minimize the undue suffering of injured employees and lower costs to employers by serving as a buffer to the state Court of Appeals and by providing expeditious judicial review of case records.

The Commission is staffed with five attorneys, who are appointed by the governor to serve a 4-year term (3-term limit). The governor designates one commissioner as chairperson with general supervisory control over staff and the assignment and scheduling of workloads. By law, commissioners are required to review the relevant record of a case, and are expected to publish scholarly and concise opinions that reflect relevant statutory case law. To realize this, the Commission strives to promptly review cases and write dispute-resolving opinions that comply with the requirements set forth in MCL 418.861(a) and with performance standards set forth in the Commission's Standards and Procedures. For administrative efficiency, the Commission is staffed with a receptionist, executive secretary and four legal secretaries.

Commission staff assists commissioners by:

• Facilitating prompt resolution of claims between parties
• Providing top quality and timely customer service
• Efficiently processing assigned caseloads
• Ensuring excellence in the final published product

The Commission assists consumers by:

• Ensuring just and prompt resolution of all appeals
• Applying strict adherence to statutorily-set filing time lines and requirements
• Continuing to decrease and maintain decreased caseload
• Meeting or exceeding annual productivity standards
• Developing its web site to accommodate consumer needs

FUND SOURCE

The Commission received its funding from the Bureau of Commerical Services, Corporation Division. Additionally, fees are collected to recover costs incurred certifying cases to the Court of Appeals, and for processing requests made under the Freedom of Information Act. Savings are realized by securing student law clerks through a federal work-study program which reimburses the Commission 70% of the wages paid.

LEGAL BASIS

The primary legal basis for the Commission is found in Act No. 317 of the Public Acts of 1969, as amended, also known as the Worker's Disability Compensation Act of 1969 (MCL 418.101 et seq.; specifically MCL 418.274 and MCL 418.861). The Act provides general policies for administration, gives the chairperson appointing and work assignment authority, grants rule-making authority to the Commission as a body, sets out the scope of review, and provides procedures for employers, insurance carriers, attorneys and employees seeking review.