Workers' comp commissioner to cut down on caseload backlog

A full-time workers' compensation commissioner has been appointed to handle a backlog of appeal cases in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Christopher Pike, a lawyer who is no longer practising, has been appointed as a full-time review commissioner.

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Sandy Collins, minister responsible for the workplace health, safety and compensation review division, said in a news release that by adding another commissioner, cases will be dealt with quicker.

Currently, the commission receives about 25 applications monthly.

It's anticipated that Pike's appointment will result in the eliminationof the existing caseload backlog bythe end of the fiscal year.

Last October, the province said it hada backlog of 150 cases in the system.