A Message from the Chairman

Ben Vinson, Chairman and Chief Appellate Judge

Happy New Year! I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the beginning of 2022.

As a proud and loyal Georgia Bulldog, let me say my year is off to a fantastic start. Congrats to the University of Georgia football team on an exciting national championship victory. What a season. Between the Dawgs’ win and the Braves’ World Series title, it seems the State of Georgia is riding a wave of positive momentum.

On that note, the State Board of Workers’ Compensation is in good health despite the ongoing challenges of COVID-19. We are maintaining our goal of preserving a balanced and stable Workers’ Compensation system for all of our stakeholders.

Looking back over 2021, we are happy to report that several key metrics for the Board indicate a positive status and point to an encouraging outlook for this year. Our hearing division, led by Chief Judge David Imahara, saw an increase in awards, hearings, motions, and petitions for medical treatment compared to the prior year. In fact, hearings were up forty-five percent (45%) from 2020 and we continue to see a variety in the type of hearings held with options for in-person, virtual, hybrid, and brief only. Our settlement division, headed up by David Kay, reports that the Board approved 13,618 stipulations in 2021, which amounted to over $593 million in the total value of settlements. Finally, our Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) division, directed by Judge Liesa Gholson, stayed busy up until the end of the year and continued to experience high demand for in-person and virtual mediations.

Recently, I was able to attend the Georgia Workers’ Compensation Association (GWCA) conference in Athens and provide a legislative update as part of the agenda. The Georgia General Assembly convened on Monday, January 10, for the first of forty legislative days that will form the 2022 Session. Regarding Workers’ Compensation legislation, I pointed to three issues that might be discussed this year:

1. A presumption for first responders with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

2. A measure to address the coverage gap with Professional Employer Organization (PEOs)

3. A possible increase in the max temporary total disability (TTD).

Our Advisory Council is aware of each issue and will stay involved as the legislative process plays out. I am looking forward to the GWCA Spring conference in June, to be held on Jekyll Island, and the GWCA Fall seminar scheduled for September in Atlanta. I hope to see many of you there and I am sure we will enjoy the programs.

Like many businesses in the private sector, the Board has endured staffing challenges with COVID-19 surges and protocols, plus a degree of retirements and turnover. However, in the face of these difficulties, the staff remains on mission and operates the work of the Board efficiently.

One final optimistic note, as part of strong revenue growth and responsible state budgeting, Governor Kemp announced he is proposing a pay increase for all state employees this year and a cost-of-living adjustment pay increase in future years plus a few other benefits.

When you combine that news with continued job growth and historically low unemployment rate, and the Braves…and the Dawgs…we are indeed experiencing positive momentum and a great start to the year.

Ben Vinson was appointed Chairman and Chief Appellate Judge of the State Board of Workers’ Compensation by Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp in May 2021. He previously served as Director and Appellate Division Judge for the Board, appointed by former Governor Nathan Deal in July of 2017. In addition to hearing Workers’ Compensation cases on appeal, Chairman Vinson shares responsibility with Judges McKay and Bahl for governing the state agency, which includes regulatory, policy, and operational matters.