High Court: Inmates Not Entitled to Workers' Compensation Benefits

The West Virginia Supreme Court has affirmed a lower court's ruling that an inmate participating in a work-release program for the state does not qualify for workers' compensation benefits.  Case: Crawford v. West Virginia Department of Corrections, No. 16-0043, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, 06/08/2017, published. Facts and procedural history: In 2013, William Crawford severely injured his hand in a wood chipper while working on a road crew for the state Division of Highways. His ring and pinky fingers were partially amputated during the injury, which required surge...