Help with Hearings

The Virginia Workers Compensation Commission's Ombuds Department is a free, confidential resource which provides information and assistance to workers, employers and other parties who are not represented by a lawyer, and who need help understanding the workers’ compensation system.

Email Address: ombuds@workcomp.virginia.gov
Phone Number: 833-448-1681

Please note that the Ombuds department cannot accept documents intended to be filed with the Commission.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) provides the workers' compensation system with an efficient alternative to help the parties resolve their disputes.

The ADR Department offers a range of services to assist parties as they try to work out their disagreements. All ADR services are free and provide parties with the opportunity to resolve disputes or claims quickly, informally and confidentially.

Confidential mediation services are offered by the Commission to assist in identifying issues, clarifying misunderstandings and exploring solutions together. All mediation services are free and provide parties the opportunity to resolve disputes or claims quickly, informally and confidentially.

Requests for mediation must be made in writing and may be mailed, submitted through WebFile or faxed to the attention of the ADR Department at 804-823-6904. You may complete the Issue Mediation Request Form or the Full and Final Mediation Request Form. Once a request for mediation is received, the ADR Department will review it to determine whether the matter is appropriate for mediation. If appropriate, the Department will work with the parties to schedule the mediation.

Additional information on mediation may be obtained by calling the Commission toll-free at 877-664-2566, or by calling the ADR Department directly at 804-205-3139.