Proceso de Apelación de Reclamaciones

Cuando un demandante no esté de acuerdo con la decisión de la reclamación, puede aplicar una Reconsideración o Revisión conforme al §§ 19.2-368.8 o 19.2-368.7 del Código de Virginia. De acuerdo con la autoridad establecido en el § 19.2-368.3, la Comisión establece los siguientes procedimientos para la Reconsideración/Apelación/Revisión, comúnmente conocidos como "Apelación". Cualquier solicitud de este tipo debe ser realizada por la víctima del delito o por el reclamante. El demandante, a su propio costo, puede contar con un abogado que le represente en cualquier etapa del proceso, incluidas las apelaciones; sin embargo, no se requiere representación legal. Las personas que no son parte de la reclamación no pueden hacer estas solicitudes, aunque pueden proporcionar información para ayudar en este proceso.

After an applicant applies for benefits, VVF reviews the information supporting the claim and determines if the claimant is eligible for compensation. If approved, VVF will determine what expenses can be covered and notify the claimant outlining the decision. If the claimant disagrees with the decision, he or she has the legal right to appeal the Fund’s decision.

Any portion of the decision can be appealed, including the original decision on the application, whether a cost can be covered, or the compensation amount (if there was a reduction). To appeal, claimants should follow the instructions included in their decision letter. Time limits for the appeal process should be followed carefully.

There are four levels in the appeals process. If any given level of appeal is successful, there is no need to go to the next level. Questions about the process should be directed to the Fund or the Crime Victim Ombudsman. It is important to follow instructions and submit the required documentation within the time limit for each appeal level process. If deadlines are not met, the right to appeal may be forfeited. Appeals must be mailed or faxed; emails are not accepted.

NIVEL 1. REVISIÓN DE RECONSIDERACIÓN

The reconsideration review level is designed to be an informal, efficient way of appealing the decision by VVF. The Fund will send the claimant a written decision. If the claimant disagrees with that decision, he or she may request that the Fund reconsider it. This request must be signed and include a detailed explanation as to why the claimant disagrees with the decision. The request for reconsideration should also include any additional documentation the claimant feels may support the request for a new decision. The signed written request must be received by VVF within forty-five (45) days of the date of the decision unless good cause is shown.

Upon receipt of the request for reconsideration, the Fund will notify the claimant in writing. The Claims Examiner will review the case file – including all reports in the file, victim or witness statements, and any additional information provided by the claimant – and submit a recommendation to the Director. The Director will review the case file and recommendations from the Examiner and render a decision regarding the claim. Once the review is complete, the Fund will provide written notification regarding the outcome of the reconsideration.

If, after the reconsideration review, the claimant still disagrees with the Fund’s decision, the claimant may request an Appeal Hearing, which is conducted by a Deputy Commissioner.

NIVEL 2. REVISIÓN DE LA VISTA DE APELACIÓN

If a claimant does not agree with the Director's reconsideration decision, he or she may request an appeal to the Commission by submitting the request signed and in writing to the Virginia Victims Fund, P.O. Box 26927, Richmond, VA 23261, within forty-five (45) days of receipt of the Director’s Reconsideration decision letter. Appeal hearing requests should state reasons for dissatisfaction with the reconsideration decision.

Appeals Hearings are heard by a Deputy Commissioner of the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission (VWC) in a location near the address of the crime. At this stage of the appeals process, the claimant will be required to appear at a hearing and to provide evidence that refutes the Fund’s findings. The claimant will be notified of the time and place of the hearing and may request VWC to issue subpoenas to compel witnesses on his or her behalf to appear and testify.

Tras la audiencia se emitirá una decisión por escrito sobre el resultado de la decisión del Comisionado Adjunto.

NIVEL 3. APELACIÓN ANTE LA COMISIÓN COMPLETA

If the claimant is not satisfied with the Deputy Commissioner’s decision, review by the Full Commission is available (Section 19.2-368.7 of the Code of Virginia).

In these cases, the following procedures should be followed:

  1. Dirigir una solicitud de revisión por escrito a: Virginia Victims Fund, Apartado de Correos 26927, Richmond, VA 23261.
  2. The letter must be received within thirty (30) calendar days from the date of the Deputy Commissioner’s decision.
  3. La carta debe indicar las razones del descontento del demandante con la decisión. A menos que se aplicar un argumento oral, el caso será revisado en el expediente por la Comisión en pleno. Si se aplicar un argumento oral y la Comisión determina que es necesario, se programará una Audiencia de Revisión en Richmond, Virginia. En la audiencia, no se podrán presentar nuevas pruebas y no se escuchará el testimonio de los testigos. El demandante o su abogado podrá exponer las razones por las que no está de acuerdo con la decisión. A petición, esta audiencia puede realizar mediante llamada telefónica.
  4. Tras revisar el expediente, la Comisión Plenaria puede confirmar o modificar la decisión del Director o determinar que se necesitan pruebas adicionales y devolver el caso a un Comisionado Adjunto para una Audiencia Probatoria.
  5. La Comisión de Compensación Laboral de Virginia emitirá una opinión por escrito exponiendo sus conclusiones.

NIVEL 4. APELACIÓN ANTE EL TRIBUNAL DE APELACIONES DE VIRGINIA

The Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission will issue a written Opinion stating its findings following the Full Commission review. If the claimant disagrees with the Opinion issued by the Commission regarding his or her claim, the Opinion may be appealed to the Virginia Court of Appeals by filing within thirty (30) days a written notice of Appeal with the Clerk of the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission accompanied by a $500.00 Appeal bond and Notice to the Clerk of the Court of Appeals with a $50.00 filing fee.