Cross References to Related Sections:

Attorney fees in other workers compensation cases, see 44-504, 44-536, 44-566a.

Law Review and Bar Journal References:

Case of Babcock v. Dose [analyzed below under "Case Annotations" 2(b) and 7] cited in 1955-56 survey of act, Albert M. Ross, 5 K.L.R. 347, 351 (1956).

Survey of law of workmen's compensation, Thomas M. Van Cleave, Jr., 12 K.L.R. 360 (1963).

Survey of law of workmen's compensation, William A. Kelly, 10 K.L.R. 239 (1961).

Two court interpretations discussed, Thomas M. Van Cleave, Jr., 14 K.L.R. 393, 398, 402 (1965).

Compensation due on demand if accelerated payment not made in twenty days, Sheila R. Miller, 18 K.L.R. 940 to 947 (1970).

"Procedure for Reviewing Workmen's Compensation Awards," 13 W.L.J. 197, 207, 208 (1974).

Survey of workmen's compensation, Ann Hoover, 15 W.L.J. 409, 412, 413 (1976).

"Workmen's Compensation—The Preliminary Hearing, the Workmen's Compensation Fund, and Civil Penalties for Failure to Pay Compensation When Due," Albert M. Ross, 24 K.L.R. 623, 626 (1976).

"Survey of Kansas Law: Workers' Compensation," William A. Kelly, 27 K.L.R. 377, 388 (1979).

"Recovery of Attorney Fees in Kansas," Mark A. Furney, 18 W.L.J. 535, 559 (1979).

"Preparation and Presentation of the Claimant's Case," Gary L. Jordan, 3 J.K.T.L.A. No. 6, 17, 18 (1980).

"Worker Compensation; Attorney's Fees Under K.S.A. 44-536a," Gary L. Jordan, Vol. 6, No. 6, J.K.T.L.A. 21 (1983).

"Analysis of Bill Drafted by Interim Committee on 1984 Labor and Industry," Gary L. Jordan, Vol. VIII, No. 3, J.K.T.L.A. 11 (1984).

"Workers' Compensation—A Salute to the Trial Lawyers of Kansas," Gary L. Jordan, 10 J.K.T.L.A. No. 6, 9, 11 (1987).

"Workers Compensation Penalties Under K.S.A. 44-512a: Recent Interpretation by Director Anderson," Chris Miller, J.K.T.L.A., Vol. XII, No. 6, 23 (1989).

"Workers' Compensation Review," Patrick Nichols, XIV J.K.T.L.A. No. 5, 2 (1991).

"New Fee Schedule to Impact Workers' Compensation," Don Cooper, J.K.T.L.A. Vol. XIV, No. 6, 18, 19 (1991).

"Workers Compensation Review," Patrick Nichols, J.K.T.L.A. Vol. XV, No. 6, Special section, 2 (1992).

"Workers Compensation Review," Patrick Nichols, J.K.T.L.A. Vol. XVI, No. 1, Special section, 3 (1992).

"Enforcement Remedies of Workers' Compensation Awards," Beth Regier Foerster, J.K.T.L.A. Vol. XVI, No. 3, 6, 7 (1993).

"Worker's Compensation Review," J.K.T.L.A. Vol. XIX, No. 1, Review Section, 1, 3 (1995).

"Kansas Homestead Law," Roger L. Theis and Karl R. Swartz, 65 J.K.B.A. No. 3, 20, 23 (1996).

"Reaffirming the Finality of Awards: Acosta v. National Beef," Diane F. Barger and Randall E. Fisher, J.K.T.L.A. Vol. 26, No. 1, 6 (2002).

"Workers Compensation Review," Jan L. Fisher, Editor, J.K.T.L.A. Vol. 25, No. 6, 20 (2002).

"Workers Compensation Review," Jan L. Fisher, Editor, J.K.T.L.A. Vol. 27, No. 3, 25 (2004).

"Workers Compensation Review," Jan L. Fisher, Editor, J.K.T.L.A. Vol. 27, No. 4, 18 (2004).

"Workers Compensation Review," Jan L. Fisher, Editor, J.K.T.L.A. Vol. 28, No. 2, 22 (2004).

"Workers Compensation Review," Joseph Seiwert, Editor, J.K.T.L.A. Vol. 30, No. 4, 19 (2007).

CASE ANNOTATIONS

Explanation, see Revisor's Note under article title, chapter 44, article 5.

Cases through 1973

IN GENERAL (1-26)

1. Statute is remedial; constitutionally applied retroactively; constitutional; sufficiency of demand. Ellis v. Kroger Grocery Co., 159 Kan. 213, 214, 216, 217, 218, 219, 222, 223, 224, 225, 152 P.2d 860 (1944).

2. Statute is remedial in character (rather than penal); supplements existing remedies.

(a) Owen v. Ready Made Buildings, Inc., 181 Kan. 659, 665, 313 P.2d 267 (1957);

(b) Babcock v. Dose, 179 Kan. 298, 300, 293 P.2d 1007 (1956);

(c) Ellis v. Kroger Grocery Co., 159 Kan. 213, 220, 152 P.2d 860 (1944).

3. Employer improperly requested employee to submit to medical examination; employee refused; action hereunder maintainable. Zimmerman v. O'Neill Tank Co., 188 Kan. 306, 308, 309, 362 P.2d 10 (1961).

4. Failure to pay any part of compensation awarded, within two weeks after demand, authorizes suit; unpaid medical actionable. Owen v. Ready Made Buildings, Inc., 180 Kan. 286, 289, 303 P.2d 168 (1956).

5. Section is applicable to awards of indefinite duration. Owen v. Ready Made Buildings, Inc., 180 Kan. 286, Syl. 5, 303 P.2d 168 (1956).

6. The employer, not the employee, has the burden of avoiding effects following a demand made in accord with the terms of such statute.

(a) Owen v. Ready Made Buildings, Inc., 181 Kan. 659, 664, 313 P.2d 267 (1957);

(b) Miller v. Massman Construction Co., 171 Kan. 713, 237 P.2d 373 (1951).

7. Allegations of petition under this section examined and held to constitute cause of action. Babcock v. Dose, 179 Kan. 298, 299, 302, 293 P.2d 1007 (1956).

8. Original award not enforceable hereunder where new award made under K.S.A. 44-528. Brewington v. Western Union, 163 Kan. 534, 535, 536, 183 P.2d 872 (1947).

9. Acceptance of delinquent payments not bar to action hereunder; employee died, action properly revived in name of administratrix. Redenbaugh v. State Department of Social Welfare, 187 Kan. 320, 321, 322, 356 P.2d 794 (1960).

10. Demand hereunder made November 1, 1960; carrier's counsel delivered draft to claimant's counsel so that it was received November 17, 1960; payment not within time. Hughes v. Bituminous Casualty Corporation, 189 Kan. 92, 93, 368 P.2d 13 (1961).

11. Interest allowed on lump sum judgment. Hughes v. Bituminous Casualty Corporation, 189 Kan. 92, 93, 368 P.2d 13 (1961).

12. Legislative purpose and intent of this section reviewed.

(a) Teague v. George, 188 Kan. 809, 814, 365 P.2d 1087 (1961);

(b) Harris v. Moore Associates of Topeka, 188 Kan. 822, 365 P.2d 1085 (1961);

(c) Fleming v. National Cash Register Co., 188 Kan. 571, 363 P.2d 432 (1961);

(d) Bentley v. State Department of Social Welfare, 187 Kan. 340, 356 P.2d 791 (1960);

(e) Redenbaugh v. State Department of Social Welfare, 187 Kan. 320, 356 P.2d 794 (1960);

(f) Owen v. Ready Made Buildings, Inc., 181 Kan. 659, 313 P.2d 267 (1957);

(g) Owen v. Ready Made Buildings, Inc., 180 Kan. 286, 303 P.2d 168 (1956);

(h) Miller v. Massman Construction Co., 171 Kan. 713, 237 P.2d 373 (1951);

(i) Ellis v. Kroger Grocery Co., 159 Kan. 213, 152 P.2d 860 (1944).

13. Before a claimant may invoke the provisions of this section the compensation award must be the "final award" of the director; when award becomes a "final award" construed; invocation of this section before award becomes final is premature and ineffectual. Harper v. Coffey Grain Co., 192 Kan. 462, 466, 470, 388 P.2d 607 (1964).

14. Claimant's demand when review pending before director premature and ineffectual. Harper v. Coffey Grain Co., 192 Kan. 462, 463, 465, 466, 467, 468, 470, 388 P.2d 607 (1964).

15. Counsel for claimant paying medical expenses of claimant is obligated to notify respondent he is claiming right of subrogation to such item when demand made hereunder. Criss v. Folger Drilling Co., 195 Kan. 552, 553, 555, 556, 557, 559, 560, 407 P.2d 497 (1965).

16. Demand made hereunder; substitution of parties; acquiescence. Kansas Physicians' Service v. Employers Liability Assurance Corp., 196 Kan. 204, 205, 409 P.2d 991 (1966).

17. Section cannot be invoked until award is final. Cramer v. Blankenship Painting & Decorating Co., 197 Kan. 360, 361, 362, 416 P.2d 255 (1966).

18. Judgment is on an award, not on policy of insurance. Walker v. Davis Van & Storage Co., 198 Kan. 452, 454, 456, 424 P.2d 473 (1967).

19. Unnecessary to serve written demand on insurer as long as proper service of the demand is made on claimant's employer and its attorney of record. Shinkle v. State Highway Commission, 202 Kan. 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 448 P.2d 12 (1968).

20. No compensation due hereunder after decision setting aside award was filed with clerk of supreme court. Krueger v. Hoch, 202 Kan. 319, 320, 447 P.2d 823. Modified: Kissick v. Salina Manufacturing Co., Inc., 204 Kan. 849, 466 P.2d 344 (1970).

21. When award formally made and entered by district court, it may not thereafter be modified by such court; when nunc pro tunc order may be made by district court discussed. Norcross v. Pickrell Drilling Co., 202 Kan. 524, 525, 530, 449 P.2d 569 (1969).

22. Disposition fee of examining doctor does not constitute compensation. McDowell v. Paynter, 202 Kan. 767, 770, 451 P.2d 227 (1969).

23. Burden on respondent and its insurance carrier to avoid effects following demand served hereunder; exceptions mentioned. Kraisinger v. Mammel Food Stores, 203 Kan. 976, 977, 980, 983, 984, 985, 987, 988, 989, 990, 991, 992, 457 P.2d 678 (1969).

24. Discussion of meaning of the term "award of compensation to the injured workman" as used hereunder. Kraisinger v. Mammel Food Stores, 203 Kan. 976, 982, 983, 457 P.2d 678 (1969).

25. Provisions of section may be invoked where payments of compensation required by K.S.A. 44-556 are not paid. Kissick v. Salina Manufacturing Co., Inc., 204 Kan. 849, 850, 852, 853, 854, 855, 856, 466 P.2d 344 (1970).

26. Demand for lump sum payment held premature. Hallmark v. Dalton Construction Co., 206 Kan. 159, 160, 476 P.2d 221 (1970).

APPEAL (30-43)

30. Action for lump sum judgment hereunder; appeal to supreme court not moot; motion to dismiss premature.

(a) Dexter v. Wilde Tool Co., 188 Kan. 816, 821, 822, 365 P.2d 1092 (1961);

(b) Bentley v. State Department of Social Welfare, 187 Kan. 340, 356 P.2d 791 (1960).

31. Proceedings under section not stayed during time for appeal from award; but see 1961 amendments to K.S.A. 44-556 (first, second and fourth provisos). Harris v. Moore Associates of Topeka, 188 Kan. 822, 824, 365 P.2d 1085 (1961).

32. Appeal from lump sum award not perfected within two months from date of judgment; appeal dismissed. Carter v. State Department of Social Welfare, 189 Kan. 688, 370 P.2d 1019 (1962).

33. Action hereunder maintainable even though appeal from commissioner's award pending; acceptance of partial payment no bar to action hereunder; "any compensation awarded" includes award for temporary total disability. Bentley v. State Department of Social Welfare, 187 Kan. 340, 341, 342, 343, 356 P.2d 791 (1960).

34. Provisions hereof not limitation upon appeal right granted by K.S.A. 44-556. Mitchener v. Daniels, 187 Kan. 765, 766, 359 P.2d 872 (1961).

35. Filing of supersedeas bond did not stay payment of compensation pending appeal or prosecution of action hereunder. Teague v. George, 188 Kan. 809, 814, 365 P.2d 1087 (1961).

36. Workman's acceptance of award benefits pending his appeal from denial of lump sum judgment constituted acquiescence. Neufeld v. Mid-Continent Casualty Co., 193 Kan. 131, 132, 391 P.2d 1009 (1964).

37. Employer not qualified as self-insurer under K.S.A. 44-532, who tendered compensation and appealed under K.S.A. 44-556 held not liable; dissent. Scammahorn v. Gibraltar Savings & Loan Assn., 195 Kan. 220, 222, 223, 224, 225, 404 P.2d 165 (1965).

38. Legislative intent as to payments indicated by section; no provision for restitution or "recover back" of payments made pending appeal. Tompkins v. Rinner Construction Co., 196 Kan. 244, 248, 409 P.2d 1001 (1966).

39. Mentioned in holding payment of compensation not jurisdictional to appeal. Scammahorn v. Gibraltar Savings & Loan Assn., 197 Kan. 410, 411, 416 P.2d 771 (1966).

40. Demand for payment made hereunder premature when made within time appeal may be taken under K.S.A. 44-556. Hunter v. General Motors Corporation, 202 Kan. 166, 169, 170, 174, 446 P.2d 838 (1968).

41. Action hereunder; no statutory provision for staying remedies available to workman pending appeal. Casebeer v. Alliance Mutual Casualty Co., 203 Kan. 425, 426, 427, 429, 430, 432, 433, 435, 436, 438, 439, 454 P.2d 511. Clarified, 203 Kan. 697, 698, 456 P.2d 152 (1969).

42. Workman does not acquiesce in judgment rendered by district court by reason of his subsequent appeal to supreme court. Griffith v. State Highway Commission of Kansas, 203 Kan. 672, 680, 456 P.2d 21 (1969).

43. Payment of compensation required by K.S.A. 44-556 pending appeal not a jurisdictional prerequisite for maintaining such appeal; no provision for dismissing appeal upon failure to make specified payments. Kissick v. Salina Manufacturing Co., Inc. 204 Kan. 849, 850, 852, 853, 854, 855, 856, 466 P.2d 344 (1970).

ACCELERATION OF INSTALLMENTS (45-49)

45. Demand hereunder can only be made for payments already due; demand for payments due in future not within statute. Dammon v. Smith County, 191 Kan. 564, 569, 382 P.2d 311 (1963).

46. Workman entitled to recover the entire amount due; interest; not entitled to attorney fees.

(a) Fleming v. National Cash Register Co., 188 Kan. 571, 576, 577, 363 P.2d 432 (1961);

(b) Bentley v. State Department of Social Welfare, 187 Kan. 340, 356 P.2d 791 (1960);

(c) Redenbaugh v. State Department of Social Welfare, 187 Kan. 320, 356 P.2d 794 (1960);

(d) Owen v. Ready Made Buildings, Inc., 181 Kan. 659, 313 P.2d 267 (1957);

(e) Owen v. Ready Made Buildings, Inc., 180 Kan. 286, 303 P.2d 168 (1956).

47. Judgment for entire compensation due upheld; no deprivation of rights hereunder. Miller v. Massman Construction Co., 171 Kan. 713, 720, 237 P.2d 373 (1951).

48. A mere reading of K.S.A. 44-512a discloses clearly it is not an action to recover installments of compensation accrued and unpaid, but is an action to have the entire compensation declared due and payable and to collect the same. Miller v. Massman Construction Co., 171 Kan. 713, 721, 237 P.2d 373 (1951).

49. Demand letter sufficient to invoke provisions of statute; nonpayment accelerates compensation. Griffith v. State Highway Commission of Kansas, 203 Kan. 672, 673, 675, 676, 677, 678, 681, 456 P.2d 21 (1969).

STATE AGENCIES SUBJECT (51-53)

51. Section applies to state agency same as any other employer; construed with K.S.A. 44-505 (now K.S.A. 44-505a). Redenbaugh v. State Department of Social Welfare, 187 Kan. 320, 321, 322, 356 P.2d 794 (1960).

52. State agency, having elected to come under the act, waives immunity to each and every portion thereof, including this section. Carter v. State Department of Social Welfare, 184 Kan. 825, 826, 827, 828, 829, 339 P.2d 5 (1959).

53. State agency electing to come under act is subject to suit under K.S.A. 44-512a. Carter v. State Department of Social Welfare, 184 Kan. 825, 339 P.2d 5 (1959).

Cases after 1973

54. Acceleration of compensation award proper where respondents did not pay medical bills until four months and thirteen days after demand. Ryder v. Reagor, 213 Kan. 576, 578, 579, 516 P.2d 990.

55. Mentioned; award of temporary total disability in addition to scheduled injury (dissenting opinion). Bergemann v. North Central Foundry, Inc., 215 Kan. 685, 690, 527 P.2d 1044.

56. Summary judgment for entire compensation award hereunder upheld; payment period prescribed hereunder mandatory. Scott v. Day and Zimmerman, Inc., 216 Kan. 458, 460, 461, 462, 532 P.2d 1111.

57. Court did not err in applying 1974 amendments to action after effective date of such amendments. Crow v. City of Wichita, 222 Kan. 322, 323, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 566 P.2d 1.

58. Cause of action does not accrue until act of default by employer. Crow v. City of Wichita, 222 Kan. 322, 323, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 566 P.2d 1.

59. Consolidation of action under statute with appeal from a director's award not prejudicial error. Crow v. City of Wichita, 222 Kan. 322, 323, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 566 P.2d 1.

60. Mailing of demand letter to employer's attorney constitutes substantial compliance with notice requirements. Kelly v. Phillips Petroleum Co., 222 Kan. 347, 348, 349, 350, 352, 353, 354, 355, 566 P.2d 10.

61. Service of demand letter by certified mail constitutes substantial compliance with statute. Kelly v. Phillips Petroleum Co., 222 Kan. 347, 348, 349, 350, 352, 353, 354, 355, 566 P.2d 10.

62. Action under statute commenced after all compensation due supersedes original workmen's compensation proceeding. Kelly v. Phillips Petroleum Co., 222 Kan. 347, 348, 349, 350, 352, 353, 354, 355, 566 P.2d 10.

63. Cited in giving retroactive effect to K.S.A. 40-3113a relating to insurer's rights regarding attorney fees. Nitchals v. Williams, 225 Kan. 285, 293, 590 P.2d 582.

64. Prerequisite for filing application for relief hereunder is to petition director to set penalty. Hall v. City of Hugoton, 2 Kan. App. 2d 728, 730, 587 P.2d 927.

65. Cited; benefit entitlement limitation of former subsection (c) of K.S.A. 44-510f construed as substantive and not procedural or remedial. Brown v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 3 Kan. App. 2d 648, 651, 599 P.2d 1031. Affirmed: 227 Kan. 645, 608 P.2d 1356.

66. Oral settlement agreement not submitted to and approved by director prior to claimant's death held compensation not yet due and therefore abrogated. Barncord v. Kansas Dept. of Transportation, 4 Kan. App. 2d 368, 369, 374, 606 P.2d 501.

67. Attorney fees not awarded; not an action for past due compensation. Barnett & Lerner, Chtd. v. Aetna Cas. & Sur. Ins. Co., 8 Kan. App. 2d 270, 276, 656 P.2d 165 (1983).

68. Provision for lump-sum redemption not applicable when respondent appeals medical expense award prior to ten-week nonstay period in K.S.A. 44-566. Page v. General Motors Corporation, 210 Kan. 699, 700, 504 P.2d 153 (1972).

69. Appeal from judgment denying application for penalty; employer's liability under K.S.A. 44-567(a)(A) secondary to liability of fund; no penalty in absence of notice required in K.S.A. 44-569(c). Nuttle v. CertainTeed Corp., 10 Kan. App. 2d 225, 226, 228, 696 P.2d 415 (1985).

70. Subsection (b); provision for lump sum redemption not applicable when respondent appeals medical expense award prior to ten-week nonstay period in K.S.A. 44-556. Page v. General Motors Corporation, 210 Kan. 699, 700, 504 P.2d 153 (1972).

71. Cited in discussing liability of state and political subdivisions for postjudgment interest (K.S.A. 16-204). Greenhaw v. Board of Johnson County Comm'rs, 245 Kan. 67, 72, 774 P.2d 956 (1989).

72. Attorney fees based on enforcement of past due compensation, reasonable hours times reasonable rate rather than contingent basis determined. Hatfield v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 14 Kan. App. 2d 193, 199, 786 P.2d 618 (1990).

73. Director's action on claim for penalties and additional benefits, after trial court's affirmance of award, examined. Sawyer v. Oldham's Farm Sausage Co., 246 Kan. 327 328, 787 P.2d 697 (1990).

74. Insolvent employer's obligation under Kansas workers compensation act was nontax in nature; not entitled to tax priority in bankruptcy. In Re Payne, 27 B.R. 809, 810, 814, 817 (1983).

75. When demand for payment of preliminary hearing award effective, when compensation past due, civil penalty for nonpayment examined. Stout v. Stixon Petroleum, 17 Kan. App. 2d 195, 198, 836 P.2d 1185 (1992).

76. Whether administrative law judge's civil penalties order a preliminary award pursuant to K.S.A. 44-534a examined; whether administrative law judge's civil penalties order is reviewable exclusively under K.S.A. 44-551 examined. Waln v. Clarkson Constr. Co., 18 Kan. App. 2d 729, 730, 731, 861 P.2d 1355 (1993).

77. A claimant is prohibited from demanding payment of a compensation award, or seeking penalty for nonpayment of an award, until the payment becomes due. Aikins v. Gates Corp., 57 Kan. App. 2d 875, 883, 462 P.3d 189 (2020).