It is an exciting time for the river city of Huntington, West Virginia. Potential investors can now further West Virginia Governor Jim Justice's vision for a brighter future for the Mountain State by investing in the Huntington, WV Opportunity Zones identified in three census tract areas: Guyandotte, West End Huntington, and Downtown Huntington.

The upheaval in the West Virginia (WV) appellate court from 2018 has passed, and the current appellate judiciary has begun to issue opinions. The "new" WV Supreme Court of Appeals has handed down its first decisions regarding workers' compensation appeals since three new justices were seated. In an opinion released June 12, 2019, the court addressed claims against third-party workers' compensation administrators in WV in a decision that could have important implications for the workers' compensation world in West Virginia.

Predicting how the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals will decide cases has become less certain because three of the five justices joined the court less than one year ago. That is no less true for workers' compensation decisions. But appellate court decisions and related events to date may indicate a change in direction to a more conservative insurer- and employer-friendly court. Jenkins Fenstermaker's Steve Wellman analyzes 2019 WV workers' compensation trends to date.

By the attorneys of Jenkins Fenstermaker, PLLC posted in Legal News on Thursday, June 6, 2019.

The #MeToo Movement has certainly grabbed its share of headlines, but sexual harassment is not the only form of workplace discrimination that employers must address. Being conscientious of all protected classes is critical to operating a workplace where employees are treated fairly and avoiding potential discrimination claims. There are a number of proactive steps that employers, large and small, can take to create positive, non-discriminatory work environments for all employees.