Ark. High Court Blocks Suit Until Workers’ Comp Commission Rules on Timeliness

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. –– The Arkansas Supreme Court has granted a petition for writ of prohibition, finding that the state’s Workers’ Compensation Commission has to make a determination on the timeliness of the asbestos and coal tar pitch claims before the case can proceed to a circuit court.

In the June 27 opinion, the high court noted that the Commission had previously entered a judgment on asbestos-related claims but subsequent claims filed in circuit court did not allege asbestos exposure. Because the commission hadn’t yet ruled on the newer claims, the circuit court lacked jurisdiction, the high court ruled.

Billy …