The Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission welcomed two new Deputy Commissioners during a swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday, September 14, at the Commission's headquarters. John T. Cornett will serve the Richmond area and Josh Wulf will serve the Fairfax region.
John T. Cornett, Jr. is a native of Petersburg, Virginia. He was born into a blue-collar family and was the first in his family to attend college. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), and his law degree from the T. C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond.
For over 20 years, John has represented clients regarding workers’ compensation issues. He has represented injured workers, employers, insurance carriers and medical providers before the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission and the Court of Appeals of Virginia.
John has been a frequent lecturer at seminars and continuing legal education programs, discussing issues involved in workers’ compensation law as well as ethics. At various times, John has been a member of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association and the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys. He is currently a member of the Virginia Workers’ Compensation American Inns of Court.
Josh Wulf is a graduate of Duke University and William and Mary Law School. Prior to joining the Commission, he spent 24 years representing local businesses, global corporations and insurance companies in workers’ compensation matters. During his time in private practice, he opened, expanded and led the Northern Virginia office of an established firm.
About the Commission
The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission (VWC), established in 1918, is an independent judicial and administrative state agency that oversees the workers’ compensation system for employees, employers, and insurers. VWC interprets and applies the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act and resolves claims through hearings and mediation.
The Commission is led by a senior leadership team consisting of three Commissioners, an Executive Director and a Chief Deputy Commissioner. Commissioners are selected by the General Assembly and serve six-year terms. Honorable R. Ferrell Newman, Honorable Wesley G. Marshall and Honorable Robert A. Rapaport currently serve as Commissioners. The Commissioners elect a Chairman to serve a three-year term. Commissioner Rapaport currently serves as Chairman. Evelyn V. McGill is the Commission’s Executive Director and the Honorable James J. Szablewicz is the Commission’s Chief Deputy Commissioner.
Leading the way in electronic data and claims filing systems, in 2020 VWC processed over 36,000 claims and issued over 3,000 judicial opinions. VWC also administers the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund, the Uninsured Employer’s Fund, and adjudicates claims under the Virginia Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Program. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, VWC operates regional offices in Bristol, Virginia Beach, Roanoke, Harrisonburg, Manassas and Fairfax.
For more information about the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission, visit the Commission's website. For more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please email Charles Steepleton or call 877-664-2566.
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