A manufacturer and its workers compensation insurer thought an injured 60-year old service technician employee did not work hard enough to find a suitable replacement job as required to qualify for wage loss benefits. Among other things, he did not search online and only contacted five potential employers a week, they complained.
But a deputy commissioner of the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission (VWCC) approved the lost wages for the worker, finding that the man who described himself as “old school” and who had no computer skills, was sincere, made a good faith effort, and took