102.51 Annotation
A posthumously born illegitimate child does not qualify as a dependent under sub. (4). Claimants not falling within one of classifications under sub. (2) (a) will not qualify for benefits, regardless of dependency in fact. Larson v. DILHR,
76 Wis. 2d 595,
252 N.W.2d 33.
102.52
102.52
Permanent partial disability schedule. In cases included in the following schedule of permanent partial disabilities indemnity shall be paid for the healing period, and in addition, for the period specified, at the rate of two-thirds of the average weekly earnings of the employee, to be computed as provided in
s. 102.11:
102.52(1)
(1) The loss of an arm at the shoulder, 500 weeks;
102.52(2)
(2) The loss of an arm at the elbow, 450 weeks;
102.52(4)
(4) The loss of a palm where the thumb remains, 325 weeks;
102.52(5)
(5) The loss of a thumb and the metacarpal bone thereof, 160 weeks;
102.52(6)
(6) The loss of a thumb at the proximal joint, 120 weeks;
102.52(7)
(7) The loss of a thumb at the distal joint, 50 weeks;
102.52(8)
(8) The loss of all fingers on one hand at their proximal joints, 225 weeks;
102.52(9)
(9) Losses of fingers on each hand as follows:
102.52(9)(a)
(a) An index finger and the metacarpal bone thereof, 60 weeks;
102.52(9)(b)
(b) An index finger at the proximal joint, 50 weeks;
102.52(9)(c)
(c) An index finger at the second joint, 30 weeks;
102.52(9)(d)
(d) An index finger at the distal joint, 12 weeks;
102.52(9)(e)
(e) A middle finger and the metacarpal bone thereof, 45 weeks;
102.52(9)(f)
(f) A middle finger at the proximal joint, 35 weeks;
102.52(9)(g)
(g) A middle finger at the second joint, 20 weeks;
102.52(9)(h)
(h) A middle finger at the distal joint, 8 weeks;
102.52(9)(i)
(i) A ring finger and the metacarpal bone thereof, 26 weeks;
102.52(9)(j)
(j) A ring finger at the proximal joint, 20 weeks;
102.52(9)(k)
(k) A ring finger at the second joint, 15 weeks;
102.52(9)(L)
(L) A ring finger at the distal joint, 6 weeks;
102.52(9)(m)
(m) A little finger and the metacarpal bone thereof, 28 weeks;
102.52(9)(n)
(n) A little finger at the proximal joint, 22 weeks;
102.52(9)(o)
(o) A little finger at the second joint, 16 weeks;
102.52(9)(p)
(p) A little finger at the distal joint, 6 weeks;
102.52(10)
(10) The loss of a leg at the hip joint, 500 weeks;
102.52(11)
(11) The loss of a leg at the knee, 425 weeks;
102.52(12)
(12) The loss of a foot at the ankle, 250 weeks;
102.52(13)
(13) The loss of the great toe with the metatarsal bone thereof, 83 1/3 weeks;
102.52(14)
(14) Losses of toes on each foot as follows:
102.52(14)(c)
(c) The second toe with the metatarsal bone thereof, 25 weeks;
102.52(14)(g)
(g) The third, fourth or little toe with the metatarsal bone thereof, 20 weeks;
102.52(14)(h)
(h) The third, fourth or little toe at the proximal joint, 6 weeks;
102.52(14)(i)
(i) The third, fourth or little toe at the second or distal joint, 4 weeks;
102.52(15)
(15) The loss of an eye by enucleation or evisceration, 275 weeks;
102.52(16)
(16) Total impairment of one eye for industrial use, 250 weeks;
102.52(17)
(17) Total deafness from accident or sudden trauma, 330 weeks;
102.52(18)
(18) Total deafness of one ear from accident or sudden trauma, 55 weeks.
102.52 Annotation
In a proceeding brought by an employee who suffered total deafness in one ear, a skull fracture, loss of taste and smell, facial paralysis, and periods of intermittent headaches and dizziness, the department did not err in determining that the hearing loss was a scheduled disability under sub. (18), with a separate award for the additional physical effects of the deafness, rather than considering the entire range of disabilities as a whole, since where a loss is recognized by and compensable under this section, the schedule therein is exclusive. Vande Zande v. ILHR Dept.
70 Wis. 2d 1086,
236 N.W.2d 255.
102.52 Annotation
The "loss of an arm at the shoulder" under sub. (1) includes injuries to the shoulder. Hagen v. LIRC,
210 Wis. 2d 12,
563 N.W.2d 454 (1997).
102.53
102.53
Multiple injury variations. In case an injury causes more than one permanent disability specified in
ss. 102.44 (3),
102.52 and
102.55, the period for which indemnity shall be payable for each additional equal or lesser disability shall be increased as follows:
102.53(1)
(1) In the case of impairment of both eyes, by 200%.
102.53(2)
(2) In the case of disabilities on the same hand covered by
s. 102.52 (9), by 100% for the first equal or lesser disability and by 150% for the 2nd and 3rd equal or lesser disabilities.
102.53(5)
(5) The aggregate result as computed by applying
sub. (1), and the aggregate result for members on the same hand or foot as computed by applying
subs. (2) and
(3), shall each be taken as a unit for applying
sub. (4) as between such units, and as between such units and each other disability.
102.53 History
History: 1973 c. 150;
1979 c. 278.
102.54
102.54
Injury to dominant hand. If an injury to an employee's dominant hand causes a disability specified in
s. 102.52 (1) to
(9) or amputation of more than two-thirds of the distal joint of a finger, the period for which indemnity is payable for that disability or amputation is increased by 25%. This increase is in addition to any other increase payable under
s. 102.53 but, for cases in which an injury causes more than one permanent disability, the increase under this section shall be based on the periods specified in
s. 102.52 (1) to
(9) for each disability and not on any increased period specified in
s. 102.53.
102.54 History
History: 1993 a. 81.
102.55
102.55
Application of schedules. 102.55(1)
(1) Whenever amputation of a member is made between any 2 joints mentioned in the schedule in
s. 102.52 the determined loss and resultant indemnity therefor shall bear such relation to the loss and indemnity applicable in case of amputation at the joint next nearer the body as such injury bears to one of amputation at the joint nearer the body.
102.55(2)
(2) For the purposes of this schedule permanent and complete paralysis of any member shall be deemed equivalent to the loss thereof.
102.55(3)
(3) For all other injuries to the members of the body or its faculties which are specified in this schedule resulting in permanent disability, though the member be not actually severed or the faculty totally lost, compensation shall bear such relation to that named in this schedule as disabilities bear to the disabilities named in this schedule. Indemnity in such cases shall be determined by allowing weekly indemnity during the healing period resulting from the injury and the percentage of permanent disability resulting thereafter as found by the department.
102.555
102.555
Occupational deafness; definitions. 102.555(1)(1) "Occupational deafness" means permanent partial or permanent total loss of hearing of one or both ears due to prolonged exposure to noise in employment. "Noise" means sound capable of producing occupational deafness. "Noisy employment" means employment in the performance of which an employee is subjected to noise.
102.555(2)
(2) No benefits shall be payable for temporary total or temporary partial disability under this chapter for loss of hearing due to prolonged exposure to noise.
102.555(3)
(3) An employee 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 employee, be the date of occurrence of any of the following events to an employee:
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 employee is entitled;
102.555(4)(c)
(c) Termination of the employer-employee 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 employee has been removed from the noisy environment for a period of 2 months.
102.555(7)
(7) No payment shall be made to an employee under this section unless the employee shall have worked in noisy employment for a total period of at least 90 days for the employer from whom the employee 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 employee 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 employee under this section by any employer shall be credited against compensation payable by any employer to such employee for occupational deafness under
subs. (3) and
(4). No employee 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 employees 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 employee 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
It is a prerequisite for an award of benefits under sub. (10) that the employee must have suffered some compensable hearing loss other than tinnitus; sub. (10) does not require a compensable hearing loss in both ears or in a particular ear. General Castings Corporation v. LIRC,
152 Wis. 2d 631,
449 N.W.2d 619 (Ct. App. 1989).
102.555 Annotation
Agency interpretation and application of sub. (8) is discussed. Harnischfeger Corporation v. LIRC,
196 Wis. 2d 650,
539 N.W.2d 335 (1995).
102.56(1)(1) If an employee 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 employee'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 employee, the employee'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 employee is suited.
102.56(2)
(2) Notwithstanding
sub. (1), if an employee who claims compensation under this section returns to work for the employer who employed the employee at the time of the injury at the same or a higher wage, the employee may not be compensated unless the employee 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 employee 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 employee to continue employment involving such exposure and the employee 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 employee 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 employee 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 employee 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 employee the department may direct any employee of the employer or an employee 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 employee 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 employee, 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 employee to continue in his or her employment.
