Within 60 days after a hearing is held, the Commissioner shall make an award supported by findings of fact and the applicable law and shall send a copy of the award to the parties. If the employee prevails at the hearing, the Commissioner's findings shall include the date on which the employer's obligation to pay compensation under this chapter began. The award shall include interest at the statutory rate computed from that date on the total amount of unpaid compensation. (Amended 1997, No. 19, § 4.)