102.555(3)
(3) An employe who because of occupational deafness is transferred by his or her employer to other noisy employment and thereby sustains actual wage loss shall be compensated at the rate provided in
s. 102.43 (2), not exceeding $7,000 in the aggregate from all employers. "Time of injury", "occurrence of injury", and "date of injury" in such case mean the date of wage loss.
102.555(4)
(4) Subject to the limitations provided in this section, there shall be payable for total occupational deafness of one ear, 36 weeks of compensation; for total occupational deafness of both ears, 216 weeks of compensation; and for partial occupational deafness, compensation shall bear such relation to that named in this section as disabilities bear to the maximum disabilities provided in this section. In cases covered by this subsection, "time of injury", "occurrence of injury", or "date of injury" shall, at the option of the employe, be the date of occurrence of any of the following events to an employe:
102.555(4)(a)
(a) Transfer to nonnoisy employment by an employer whose employment has caused occupational deafness;
102.555(4)(b)
(b) The last day actually worked before retiring, regardless of vacation pay or time, sick leave or any other benefit to which the employe is entitled;
102.555(4)(c)
(c) Termination of the employer-employe relationship; or
102.555(4)(d)
(d) Layoff, provided the layoff is complete and continuous for 6 months.
102.555(5)
(5) No claim under
sub. (4) may be filed until 7 consecutive days of removal from noisy employment after the time of injury except that under
sub. (4) (d) the 7 consecutive days' period may commence within the last 2 months of layoff.
102.555(6)
(6) The limitation provisions in this chapter shall control claims arising under this section. Such provisions shall run from the first date upon which claim may be filed, or from the date of subsequent death, provided that no claim shall accrue to any dependent unless an award has been issued or hearing tests have been conducted by a competent medical specialist after the employe has been removed from the noisy environment for a period of 2 months.
102.555(7)
(7) No payment shall be made to an employe under this section unless the employe shall have worked in noisy employment for a total period of at least 90 days for the employer from whom the employe claims compensation.
102.555(8)
(8) An employer is liable for the entire occupational deafness to which his or her employment has contributed; but if previous deafness is established by a hearing test or other competent evidence, whether or not the employe was exposed to noise within the 2 months preceding such test, the employer is not liable for previous loss so established nor is the employer liable for any loss for which compensation has previously been paid or awarded.
102.555(9)
(9) Any amount paid to an employe under this section by any employer shall be credited against compensation payable by any employer to such employe for occupational deafness under
subs. (3) and
(4). No employe shall in the aggregate receive greater compensation from any or all employers for occupational deafness than that provided in this section for total occupational deafness.
102.555(10)
(10) No compensation may be paid for tinnitus unless a hearing test demonstrates a compensable hearing loss other than tinnitus. For injuries occurring on or after January 1, 1992, no compensation may be paid for tinnitus.
102.555(11)
(11) Compensation under
s. 102.66 for permanent partial disability due to occupational deafness may be paid only if the loss of hearing exceeds 20% of binaural hearing loss.
102.555 Annotation
Committee Note, 1971: Where an employer discontinues a noisy operation and transfers the employes to nonnoisy employment, they have been unable to make claim for occupational deafness until the conditions of sub. (b), (c) or (d) were met. The employe will now have the option of filing a claim at the time of transfer at the current rate of compensation with a 2-1/2% reduction for each year of age over 50 or waiting until he meets the conditions of sub. (b), (c) or (d) when he may file claim at the then-current rate of compensation with a 1/2% reduction for each year of age over 50. [Bill 371-A]
102.555 Annotation
Prerequisite for benefits award under (10) is that employe must have suffered some compensable hearing loss other than tinnitus; (10) does not require compensable hearing loss in both ears or in a particular ear. General Castings Corp. v. LIRC, 152 W (2d) 631, 449 NW (2d) 619 (Ct. App. 1989).
102.555 Annotation
Agency interpretation and application of sub. (8) discussed. Harnischfeger Corp. v. LIRC, 196 W (2d) 650, 539 NW (2d) 335 (1995).
102.56(1)(1) If an employe is so permanently disfigured as to occasion potential wage loss, the department may allow such sum as it deems just as compensation therefor, not exceeding the employe's average annual earnings as defined in
s. 102.11. In determining the potential for wage loss and the sum awarded, the department shall take into account the age, education, training and previous experience and earnings of the employe, the employe's present occupation and earnings and likelihood of future suitable occupational change. Consideration for disfigurement allowance is confined to those areas of the body that are exposed in the normal course of employment. The department shall also take into account the appearance of the disfigurement, its location, and the likelihood of its exposure in occupations for which the employe is suited.
102.56(2)
(2) Notwithstanding
sub. (1), if an employe who claims compensation under this section returns to work for the employer who employed the employe at the time of the injury at the same or a higher wage, the employe may not be compensated unless the employe shows that he or she probably has lost or will lose wages due to the disfigurement.
102.565
102.565
Toxic or hazardous exposure; medical examination; conditions of liability. 102.565(1)
(1) When an employe working subject to this chapter, as a result of exposure in the course of his or her employment over a period of time to toxic or hazardous substances or conditions, develops any clinically observable abnormality or condition which, on competent medical opinion, predisposes or renders the employ in any manner differentially susceptible to disability to such an extent that it is inadvisable for the employe to continue employment involving such exposure and the employe is discharged from or ceases to continue the employment, and suffers wage loss by reason of such discharge, or such cessation, the department may allow such sum as it deems just as compensation therefor, not exceeding $13,000. In the event a nondisabling condition may also be caused by toxic or hazardous exposure not related to employment, and the employe has a history of such exposure, compensation as provided by this section shall not be allowed nor shall any other remedy for loss of earning capacity. In case of such discharge prior to a finding by the department that it is inadvisable for the employe to continue in such employment and if it is reasonably probable that continued exposure would result in disability, the liability of the employer who so discharges the employe is primary, and the liability of the employer's insurer is secondary, under the same procedure and to the same effect as provided by
s. 102.62.
102.565(2)
(2) Upon application of any employer or employe the department may direct any employe of the employer or an employe who, in the course of his or her employment, has been exposed to toxic or hazardous substances or conditions, to submit to examination by a physician or physicians to be appointed by the department to determine whether the employe has developed any abnormality or condition under
sub. (1), and the degree thereof. The cost of the medical examination shall be borne by the person making application. The results of the examination shall be submitted by the physician to the department, which shall submit copies of the reports to the employer and employe, who shall have opportunity to rebut the reports provided request therefor is made to the department within 10 days from the mailing of the report to the parties. The department shall make its findings as to whether or not it is inadvisable for the employe to continue in his or her employment.
102.565(3)
(3) If an employe refuses to submit to the examination after direction by the commission, or any member thereof or the department or an examiner thereof, or in any way obstructs the same, the employe's right to compensation under this section shall be barred.
102.565(4)
(4) No payment shall be made to an employe under this section unless he or she shall have worked for a reasonable period of time for the employer from whom he or she claims compensation for exposing him or her to toxic or hazardous conditions.
102.565(5)
(5) Payment of a benefit under this section to an employe shall estop such employe from any further recovery whatsoever from any employer under this section.
102.565 History
History: 1977 c. 29,
195;
1979 c. 278.
102.565 Annotation
Sub. (1) requires that employe's termination be connected to the employment which caused the susceptibility to disease. General Castings Corp. v. Winstead, 156 W (2d) 752, 457 NW (2d) 557 (Ct. App. 1990).
102.57
102.57
Violations of safety provisions, penalty. If injury is caused by the failure of the employer to comply with any statute or any lawful order of the department, compensation and death benefits provided in this chapter shall be increased 15% but the total increase may not exceed $15,000. Failure of an employer reasonably to enforce compliance by employes with that statute or order of the department constitutes failure by the employer to comply with that statute or order.
102.57 History
History: 1981 c. 92;
1983 a. 98.
102.57 Annotation
This section and 102.58 may be applicable in the same workmen's compensation case if the negligence of both are causes of the employe's injury. Milwaukee Forge v. ILHR Dept. 66 W (2d) 428, 225 NW (2d) 476.
102.58
102.58
Decreased compensation. If injury is caused by the failure of the employe to use safety devices which are provided in accordance with any statute or lawful order of the department and are adequately maintained, and the use of which is reasonably enforced by the employer, or if injury results from the employe's failure to obey any reasonable rule adopted and reasonably enforced by the employer for the safety of the employe and of which the employe has notice, or if injury results from the intoxication of the employe by alcohol beverages, as defined in
s. 125.02 (1), or use of a controlled substance, as defined in
s. 961.01 (4), or a controlled substance analog, as defined in
s. 961.01 (4m), the compensation and death benefit provided in this chapter shall be reduced 15% but the total reduction may not exceed $15,000.
102.58 Annotation
The burden of proof is on the employer to establish not only the fact of intoxication, but a causal connection between such condition and the injury or accident. Haller Beverage Corp. v. ILHR Dept. 49 W (2d) 233, 181 NW (2d) 418.
102.59
102.59
Preexisting disability, indemnity. 102.59(1)
(1) If an employe has at the time of injury permanent disability which if it had resulted from such injury would have entitled him or her to indemnity for 200 weeks and, as a result of such injury, incurs further permanent disability which entitles him or her to indemnity for 200 weeks, the employe shall be paid from the funds provided in this section additional compensation equivalent to the amount which would be payable for said previous disability if it had resulted from such injury or the amount which is payable for said further disability, whichever is the lesser. If said disabilities result in permanent total disability the additional compensation shall be in such amount as will complete the payments which would have been due had said permanent total disability resulted from such injury. This additional compensation accrues from, and may not be paid to any person before, the end of the period for which compensation for permanent disability resulting from such injury is payable by the employer, and shall be subject to
s. 102.32 (6) and
(7). No compromise agreement of liability for this additional compensation may provide for any lump sum payment.
102.59(1m)
(1m) A compromise order issued under
s. 102.16 (1) may not be admitted as evidence in any action or proceeding for benefits compensable under this section.
102.59(2)
(2) In the case of the loss or of the total impairment of a hand, arm, foot, leg or eye, the employer shall pay $7,000 into the state treasury. The payment shall be made in all such cases regardless of whether the employe, the employe's dependent or personal representative commences action against a 3rd party as provided in
s. 102.29.
102.59(3)
(3) All payments received under this section shall be deposited in the fund established by
s. 102.65.
102.59 Annotation
The fund was not liable for disability benefits where employer was liable for permanent total disability. Green Bay Soap Co. v. DILHR, 87 W (2d) 561, 275 NW (2d) 190 (Ct. App. 1979).
102.60
102.60
Minor illegally employed, compensation. When the injury is sustained by a minor illegally employed, compensation and death benefits shall be as follows:
102.60(1)
(1) Double the amount otherwise recoverable, if the injured employe is a minor of permit age, and at the time of the injury is employed, required, suffered or permitted to work without a written permit issued pursuant to
ch. 103, except as provided in
sub. (2).
102.60(2)
(2) Treble the amount otherwise recoverable, if the injured employe is a minor of permit age, and at the time of the injury is employed, required, suffered or permitted to work without a permit in any place of employment or at any employment in or for which the department acting under authority of
ch. 103, has adopted a written resolution providing that permits shall not be issued.
102.60(3)
(3) Treble the amount otherwise recoverable if the injured employe is a minor of permit age, and at the time of the injury is employed, required, suffered, or permitted to work at prohibited employment.
102.60(4)
(4) Treble the amount otherwise recoverable, if the injured employe is a minor under permit age and illegally employed.
102.60(5)(a)(a) A permit or certificate of age unlawfully issued by an officer specified in
ch. 103, or unlawfully altered after issuance, without fraud on the part of the employer, shall be deemed a permit within the provisions of this section.
102.60(5)(b)
(b) If the employer is misled in employing a minor illegally because of fraudulent written evidence of age presented by the minor, the increased compensation provided by this section shall not be paid to the employe, but shall be paid into the fund established by
s. 102.65.
102.60(6)
(6) If the amount recoverable under this section for temporary disability shall be less than the actual loss of wage sustained by the minor employe, then liability shall exist for such loss of wage.
102.60(7)
(7) Subsections (1) to
(6) shall not apply to employes as defined in
s. 102.07 (6) if the agency or publisher shall establish by affirmative proof that at the time of the injury the employe was not employed with the actual or constructive knowledge of such agency or publisher.
102.60(8)
(8) This section shall not apply to liability arising under
s. 102.06 unless the employer sought to be charged knew or should have known that the minor was illegally employed by the contractor or subcontractor.
102.60(9)
(9) The increased compensation or increased death benefits recoverable under
sub. (1) may not exceed $7,500. The increased compensation or increased death benefits recoverable under
subs. (2),
(3) or
(4) may not exceed $15,000.
102.61
102.61
Indemnity under rehabilitation law. 102.61(1)
(1) Subject to
sub. (1m), an employe who is entitled to receive and has received compensation under this chapter, and who is entitled to and is receiving instructions under
29 USC 701 to
797b, as administered by the state in which the employe resides or in which the employe resided at the time of becoming physically handicapped, shall, in addition to other indemnity, be paid the actual and necessary expenses of travel and, if the employe receives instructions elsewhere than at the place of residence, the actual and necessary costs of maintenance, during rehabilitation, subject to the conditions and limitations specified in
sub. (1r).
102.61(1m)(a)(a) If the department has determined under
sub. (1) that an employe is eligible for vocational rehabilitation services under
29 USC 701 to
797b, but that the department cannot provide those services for the employe, the employe may select a private rehabilitation counselor certified by the department to determine whether the employe can return to suitable employment without rehabilitative training and, if that counselor determines that rehabilitative training is necessary, to develop a rehabilitative training program to restore as nearly as possible the employe to his or her preinjury earning capacity and potential.
102.61(1m)(b)
(b) Notwithstanding
s. 102.03 (4), an employe whose date of injury is before May 4, 1994, may receive private rehabilitative counseling and rehabilitative training under
par. (a).
102.61(1m)(c)
(c) The employer or insurance carrier shall pay the reasonable cost of any services provided for an employe by a private rehabilitation counselor under
par. (a) and, subject to the conditions and limitations specified in
sub. (1r) (a) to
(c) and by rule, if the private rehabilitation counselor determines that rehabilitative training is necessary, the reasonable cost of the rehabilitative training program recommended by that counselor, including tuition, fees, books and maintenance and travel expenses. Notwithstanding that the department of industry, labor and job development may authorize under
s. 102.43 (5) a rehabilitative training program that lasts longer than 80 weeks, a rehabilitative training program that lasts 80 weeks or less is presumed to be reasonable.
102.61(1m)(d)
(d) If an employe receives services from a private rehabilitation counselor under
par. (a) and later receives similar services from the department of health and family services under
sub. (1) without the prior approval of the employer or insurance carrier, the employer or insurance carrier is not liable for temporary disability benefits under
s. 102.43 (5) or for travel and maintenance expenses under
sub. (1) that exceed what the employer or insurance carrier would have been liable for under the rehabilitative training program developed by the private rehabilitation counselor.
102.61(1m)(e)
(e) Nothing in this subsection prevents an employer or insurance carrier from providing an employe with the services of a private rehabilitation counselor or with rehabilitative training under
sub. (3) before the department of health and family services makes its determination under
par. (a).
102.61(1m)(f)
(f) The department of industry, labor and job development shall promulgate rules establishing procedures and requirements for the private rehabilitation counseling and rehabilitative training process under this subsection. Those rules shall include rules specifying the procedure and requirements for certification of private rehabilitation counselors.
102.61(1r)
(1r) An employe who receives a course of instruction or other rehabilitative training under
sub. (1) or
(1m) is subject to the following conditions and limitations:
102.61(1r)(a)
(a) The employe must undertake the course of instruction within 60 days from the date when the employe has sufficiently recovered from the injury to permit so doing, or as soon thereafter as the officer or agency having charge of the instruction shall provide opportunity for the rehabilitation.
102.61(1r)(b)
(b) The employe must continue in rehabilitation training with such reasonable regularity as health and situation will permit.
102.61(1r)(c)
(c) The employe may not have expenses of travel and costs of maintenance under
sub. (1) or costs of private rehabilitation counseling and rehabilitative training under
sub. (1m) on account of training for a period in excess of 80 weeks in all, except as provided in
s. 102.43 (5).
102.61(2)
(2) The department of industry, labor and job development, the commission and the courts shall determine the rights and liabilities of the parties under this section in like manner and with like effect as that department, the commission and the courts do other issues under compensation. A determination under this subsection may include a determination based on the evidence regarding the cost or scope of the services provided by a private rehabilitation counselor under
sub. (1m) (a) or the cost or reasonableness of a rehabilitative training program developed under
sub. (1m) (a).
102.61(3)
(3) Nothing in this section prevents an employer or insurance carrier from providing an employe with the services of a private rehabilitation counselor or with rehabilitative training if the employe voluntarily accepts those services or that training.
102.61 Annotation
Federal vocational rehabilitation law cited in (1) is now found in Rehabilitation Act of 1973, P.L. 93-112. See also note to Art. IV, sec. 1, citing Dane County Hospital & Home v. LIRC, 125 W (2d) 308, 371 NW (2d) 815 (Ct. App. 1985).
102.61 Annotation
Under 102.42 (9) (a), 102.43 (5) and this section, department may extend temporary disability, travel expense and maintenance costs beyond forty weeks if additional training is warranted. Beloit Corp. v. State, 152 W (2d) 579, 449 NW (2d) 299 (Ct. App. 1989).
102.61 Annotation
The provisions of this section encompass formalized courses of instruction only. Johnson v. LIRC, 177 W (2d) 736, 503 NW (2d) 1 (Ct. App. 1993).
102.62
102.62
Primary and secondary liability; unchangeable. In case of liability for the increased compensation or increased death benefits provided for by
s. 102.57, or included in
s. 102.60, the liability of the employer shall be primary and the liability of the insurance carrier shall be secondary. In case proceedings are had before the department for the recovery of such increased compensation or increased death benefits the department shall set forth in its award the amount and order of liability as herein provided. Execution shall not be issued against the insurance carrier to satisfy any judgment covering such increased compensation or increased death benefits until execution has first been issued against the employer and has been returned unsatisfied as to any part thereof. Any provision in any insurance policy undertaking to guarantee primary liability or to avoid secondary liability for such increased compensation or increased death benefits shall be void. In case the employer shall have been adjudged bankrupt, or have made an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or if the employer, other than an individual, have gone out of business or have been dissolved, or if a corporation, its charter have been forfeited or revoked, the insurer shall be liable for the payment of increased compensation and death benefits without judgment or execution against the employer, but without altering the primary liability of the employer.
102.63
102.63
Refunds by state. Whenever the department shall certify to the state treasurer that excess payment has been made under
s. 102.59 or under
s. 102.49 (5) either because of mistake or otherwise, the state treasurer shall within 5 days after receipt of such certificate draw an order against the fund in the state treasury into which such excess was paid, reimbursing such payor of such excess payment, together with interest actually earned thereon if the excess payment has been on deposit for at least 6 months.
102.63 History
History: 1981 c. 92.
102.64
102.64
Attorney general shall represent state and commission. 102.64(1)(1) Upon request of the department of administration, a representative of the department of justice shall represent the state in cases involving payment into or out of the state treasury under
s. 20.865 (1) (fm),
(kr) or
(ur) or
102.29. The department of justice, after giving notice to the department of administration, may compromise the amount of such payments but such compromises shall be subject to review by the department of industry, labor and job development. If the spouse of the deceased employe compromises his or her claim for a primary death benefit, the claim of the children of such employe under
s. 102.49 shall be compromised on the same proportional basis, subject to approval by the department. If the persons entitled to compensation on the basis of total dependency under
s. 102.51 (1) compromise their claim, payments under
s. 102.49 (5) (a) shall be compromised on the same proportional basis.
102.64(2)
(2) Upon request of the department of administration, the attorney general shall appear on behalf of the state in proceedings upon claims for compensation against the state. The department of justice shall represent the interests of the state in proceedings under
s. 102.49,
102.59 or
102.66. The department of justice may compromise claims in such proceedings, but the compromises are subject to review by the department of industry, labor and job development. Costs incurred by the department of justice in prosecuting or defending any claim for payment into or out of the work injury supplemental benefit fund under
s. 102.65, including expert witness and witness fees but not including attorney fees or attorney travel expenses for services performed under this subsection, shall be paid from the work injury supplemental benefit fund.
102.64(3)
(3) In any action to review an order or award of the commission, and upon any appeal therein to the court of appeals, the attorney general shall appear on behalf of the commission, whether any other party defendant shall be represented or not, except that in actions brought by the state the governor shall appoint an attorney to appear on behalf of the commission.
102.64 Annotation
Alleged invalidity of (3) cannot be grounded on claimant's contention that this results in providing public counsel for a private party litigant, because nowhere does the statute make the attorney general the claimant's attorney, but expressly states he shall appear on behalf of the department. Hunter v. ILHR Dept. 64 W (2d) 97, 218 NW (2d) 314.
102.65
102.65
Work injury supplemental benefit fund. 102.65(1)
(1) The moneys payable to the state treasury under
ss. 102.47,
102.49 and
102.59, together with all accrued interest, shall constitute a fund to be known as the "Work Injury Supplemental Benefit Fund".
102.65(2)
(2) For proper administration of the moneys available in the fund the department shall by order, set aside in the state treasury suitable reserves to carry to maturity the liability for benefits under
ss. 102.44,
102.49,
102.59 and
102.66. Such moneys shall be invested by the investment board in accordance with
s. 25.14 (5).
102.65(3)
(3) If the balance in the fund on any June 30 exceeds 3 times the amount paid out of such fund during the fiscal year ending on such date, the department shall, by order, direct an appropriate proportional reduction of the payments into such fund under
ss. 102.47,
102.49 and
102.59 so that the balance in the fund will remain at 3 times the payments made in the preceding fiscal year.
102.66
102.66
Payment of certain barred claims.
