Storm, Inmate Settlements Boost West Virginia BRIM Costs

A major storm and settlements of inmate lawsuits contributed to a nearly $20 million increase in the West Virginia Board of Risk and Insurance Management’s claims expenses.

The agency’s annual report shows that claims expenses claims for the fiscal year that ended June 30 totaled more than $53 million. About $4 million of the expenses were due to the derecho on June 29, 2012.

Director Chuck Jones tells the Charleston Gazette that most of the state’s 55 counties had damage claims because of the storm.

He says that the storm also hit the state park system hard.

Jones says the agency settled claims on about 100 regional jail lawsuits and 75 Division of Corrections lawsuits.

He says the agency remains fiscally sound, despite the increase in claims.