Nevada Attorney for Injured Workers named Business and Industry Agency of the Year

Nevada Department of Business and Industry Director Bruce Breslow announced that the Nevada Attorney for Injured Workers has been named the Department’s 2013 Agency of the Year.  The award was presented to Administrator Evan Beavers and agency staff in recognition of the agency’s accomplishments that have positively impacted thousands of Nevada workers.

“Administrator Evan Beavers and his small team of staff attorneys, legal research assistants and legal secretaries have accomplished some great results for injured and disabled workers that come to them as a last resort.” said Bruce Breslow, Director of the Department of Business and Industry.

Established by the Nevada Legislature in 1977, the Attorney for Injured Workers is mandated to provide free legal services to injured workers seeking appeal of denied workers’ compensation benefits by assuring a fair administrative hearing.

The agency has offices located in Las Vegas and Carson City and employs 14 staff attorneys, four legal research assistants and ten legal secretaries.  In 2013, the agency managed approximately 1,300 cases on appeal.

Under the leadership of the Administrator Evan Beavers, the agency has successfully resolved, either by litigation or settlement approximately 57% of the claims, a considerable accomplishment at the appeals level.  The agency receives and manages cases only after a worker’s claim has been considered but left unresolved by the employer, the insurer, the claims adjuster and the hearing officer who initially considered the claim. 

“The real success of our work is best demonstrated by the outcomes we achieve for our clients” said Administrator Evan Beavers.  Beavers cites a case assisting the family of a Las Vegas firefighter who contracted occupational lung disease. “Although the firefighter ultimately died as a result of the disease, NAIW was able to successfully litigate the case after the initial denial of the workers’ compensation claim and obtain a monthly benefit payment for his widow.”

NAIW agency staff are also committed to educating workers and the public about negotiating the workers’ compensation system and rights of the injured worker.  In 2013, staff received and answered nearly 4,000 telephone calls from individuals seeking information.  

To view the proclamation and award, please visit www.business.nv.gov.  To learn more about the Nevada Attorney for Injured Workers, please visit www.naiw.nv.gov.

About the Department of Business and Industry

The Department of Business and Industry is a cabinet level agency in Nevada State government. Our objective is to encourage and promote the development and growth of business and to ensure the legal operation of business in order to protect consumers by maintaining a fair and competitive regulatory environment. The Director’s office manages a number of programs and initiatives to address the needs of small businesses, homeowners and consumers including small business advocacy, bond programs, access to capital, housing retention programs, constituent services and fraud prevention and education.

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