SC Senate Confirms Wilkerson to Workers Compensation Board and Andrea Roach as its Chair

The SC Senate confirmed Avery Wilkerson's nomination to the Workers' Compensation Commission by a voice vote March 27.  Mr. Wilkerson was Mayor of the City of Cayce, SC and an independent insurance agent.

Commissioner Andrea Roche was also confirmed as Chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission by a voice vote. Ms. Roche is a seated commissioner on the Workers’ Compensation Commission and serves a two-year term as its Chair.  She replaces Mr. David W. Huffstetler as Commission Chair.

Senator Glenn McConnell has scheduled Tuesday, April 8, 2008 for the screenings of Commissioner Derrick Williams' re-appointment and the appointment of Sam Painter to the Workers' Compensation Commission.

The personal injury lawyers have planned a full-scale attack on Sam Painter's nomination. One senator warned us to expect a political "lynching" at the next hearing. The opposition to Mr. Painter is political and not based on qualifications.

Cam Crawford, SC Civil Justice Coalition Executive Director said, “Sam Painter's resume is impressive. Sam actually did write the book on Workers' Compensation in South Carolina. Sam has practiced workers' comp for over 30 years and has been recognized as one of the premier workers' comp attorneys in the nation.  In fact, many would argue that Sam Painter is the most qualified person nominated to the Workers' Compensation Commission in recent memory.”