What authority does the Commission have in the context of workers compensation?

The Commission has the authority to appoint judges and set rules within the framework of workers' compensation. This role is crucial because it ensures that there are established guidelines and judicial oversight to manage workers' compensation claims effectively. The ability to appoint judges allows for a structured legal process through which disputes can be resolved fairly, ensuring that both employees and employers have access to a system that adjudicates their claims according to the law.

Additionally, setting rules encompasses creating regulations that govern how the workers' compensation system operates, including procedures for filing claims, conducting hearings, and addressing various aspects of workers' compensation law. This ensures consistency and clarity in the administration of workers' compensation, which is vital for both employees seeking compensation for injuries and employers navigating their responsibilities under the law.

In contrast, other options such as setting employee pay rates, providing legal representation, and establishing workplace safety standards fall outside the Commission's statutory responsibilities. Determining pay rates is typically a matter between employers and employees, legal representation tends to be the responsibility of individual attorneys, and workplace safety standards are usually determined by different regulatory bodies rather than the workers' compensation Commission.