Jones v. Commonwealth

In this appeal, we consider whether the University of Virginia (“the University”) is a governmental entity for the purposes of determining its status as a statutory employer under the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act (“the Act”), Code §§ 65.2-100 to -1310.

I. Facts and Proceedings Below

Robert I. Jones, Sr. (“Jones”) was employed by Waco, Inc. (“Waco”), an independent contractor employed by the University to perform asbestos abatement in a building on the grounds. Part of this work included the removal of electrical conduits. Jones received an electrical shock while attempting to remove an…