102.30 Annotation
The prohibition of intervention by nonindustrial insurers under sub. (7) (b) is constitutional. An insurer is not denied a remedy for amounts wrongfully paid to its insured. It may bring a direct action the insured. Employers Health Insurance Co. v Tesmer,
161 Wis. 2d 733,
469 N.W.2d 203 (Ct. App. 1991).
102.30 Annotation
Although sub. (7) (a), read in isolation, authorizes the reimbursement of a subrogated insurer, when an insurer becomes subrogated by paying medical expenses arising from injuries that are compensable under this chapter, and the employer's worker's compensation insurance carrier is in liquidation, s. 646.31 (11) precludes the commission from ordering the employer to reimburse the subrogated insurer for those expenses. Wisconsin Insurance Security Fund v. Labor and Industry Review Commission, 2005 WI App 242,
288 Wis. 2d 206,
707 N.W.2d 293,
04-2157.
102.31
102.31
Worker's compensation insurance; policy regulations. 102.31(1)(a)(a) Every contract for the insurance of compensation provided under this chapter or against liability therefor is subject to this chapter and provisions inconsistent with this chapter are void.
102.31(1)(b)
(b) Except as provided in
par. (c), a contract under
par. (a) shall be construed to grant full coverage of all liability of the assured under this chapter unless the department specifically consents by written order to the issuance of a contract providing divided insurance or partial insurance.
102.31(1)(c)1.1. Liability under
s. 102.35 (3) is the sole liability of the employer, notwithstanding any agreement of the parties to the contrary.
102.31(1)(c)2.
2. An intermediate agency or publisher referred to in
s. 102.07 (6) may, under its own contract of insurance, cover liability of employees as defined in
s. 102.07 (6) for an intermediate or independent news agency, if the contract of insurance of the publisher or intermediate agency is endorsed to cover those persons. If the publisher so covers, the intermediate or independent news agency need not cover liability for those persons.
102.31(1)(d)
(d) A contract procured to insure a partnership may not be construed to cover the individual liability of the members of the partnership in the course of a trade, business, profession or occupation conducted by them as individuals. A contract procured to insure an individual may not be construed to cover the liability of a partnership of which the individual is a member or to cover the liability of the individual arising as a member of any partnership.
102.31(1)(dL)
(dL) A contract procured to insure a limited liability company may not be construed to cover the individual liability of the members of the limited liability company in the course of a trade, business, profession or occupation conducted by them as individuals. A contract procured to insure an individual may not be construed to cover the liability of a limited liability company of which the individual is a member or to cover the liability of the individual arising as a member of any limited liability company.
102.31(1)(e)
(e) An insurer who provides a contract under
par. (a) shall file the contract as provided in
s. 626.35.
102.31(2)(a)(a) No party to a contract of insurance may cancel the contract within the contract period or terminate or not renew the contract upon the expiration date until a notice in writing is given to the other party fixing the proposed date of cancellation or declaring that the party intends to terminate or does not intend to renew the policy upon expiration. Except as provided in
par. (b), when an insurance company does not renew a policy upon expiration, the nonrenewal is not effective until 60 days after the insurance company has given written notice of the nonrenewal to the insured employer and the department. Cancellation or termination of a policy by an insurance company for any reason other than nonrenewal is not effective until 30 days after the insurance company has given written notice of the cancellation or termination to the insured employer and the department. Notice to the department may be given by personal service of the notice upon the department at its office in Madison, by sending the notice by certified mail addressed to the department at its office in Madison, or by transmitting the notice to the department at its office in Madison by facsimile machine transmission, electronic mail, or any electronic, magnetic, or other medium approved by the department. The department may provide by rule that the notice of cancellation or termination be given to the Wisconsin compensation rating bureau rather than to the department and that the notice of cancellation or termination be given to the Wisconsin compensation rating bureau by certified mail, facsimile machine transmission, electronic mail, or other medium approved by the department after consultation with the Wisconsin compensation rating bureau. Whenever the Wisconsin compensation rating bureau receives such a notice of cancellation or termination it shall immediately notify the department of the notice of cancellation or termination.
102.31(2)(b)1.1. In the event of a court-ordered liquidation of an insurance company, a contract of insurance issued by that company terminates on the date specified in the court order.
102.31(2)(b)2.
2. Regardless of whether the notices required under
par. (a) have been given, a cancellation or termination is effective upon the effective date of replacement insurance coverage obtained by the employer or of an order exempting the employer from carrying insurance under
s. 102.28 (2).
102.31(2m)(a)(a) A professional employer organization or employee leasing organization that enters into an employee leasing agreement with a client shall submit to the department, within 10 working days after the effective date of the agreement, a report disclosing the identity of the client, the effective date of the leasing agreement, and such other information as the department prescribes. The notification shall be on a form prescribed by the department and shall include all of the following information:
102.31(2m)(a)1.
1. The name and mailing address of the professional employer organization or employee leasing organization.
102.31(2m)(a)2.
2. The name and mailing address of the worker's compensation insurance carrier of the professional employer organization or employee leasing organization.
102.31(2m)(a)3.
3. The names and mailing addresses of all clients of the professional employer organization or employee leasing organization.
102.31(2m)(b)
(b) If a professional employer organization or employee leasing organization and client intend to terminate an employee leasing agreement, the professional employer organization or employee leasing organization shall notify the department no later than 30 days prior to the termination date of the leasing agreement. The notification to the department shall be on a form prescribed by the department.
102.31(2m)(c)
(c) When an employee leasing agreement is terminated, termination of the client's coverage under the worker's compensation insurance policy of the professional employer organization or employee leasing organization is not effective until 30 days after the professional employer organization or employee leasing organization has given notice of the termination of the employee leasing agreement to the department under
par. (b), and coverage under that policy of the employees providing services to the client under that agreement shall remain in effect until 30 days after the date of that notice.
102.31(3)
(3) The department may examine from time to time the books and records of any insurer insuring liability or compensation for an employer in this state. The department may require an insurer to designate one mailing address for use by the department and to respond to correspondence from the department within 30 days. Any insurer that refuses or fails to answer correspondence from the department or to allow the department to examine its books and records is subject to enforcement proceedings under
s. 601.64.
102.31(4)
(4) If any insurer authorized to transact worker's compensation insurance in this state fails to promptly pay claims for compensation for which it is liable or fails to make reports to the department required by
s. 102.38, the department may recommend to the commissioner of insurance, with detailed reasons, that enforcement proceedings under
s. 601.64 be invoked. The commissioner shall furnish a copy of the recommendation to the insurer and shall set a date for a hearing, at which both the insurer and the department shall be afforded an opportunity to present evidence. If after the hearing the commissioner finds that the insurer has failed to carry out its obligations under this chapter, the commissioner shall institute enforcement proceedings under
s. 601.64. If the commissioner does not so find, the commissioner shall dismiss the complaint.
102.31(5)
(5) If any employer whom the department exempted from carrying compensation insurance arbitrarily or unreasonably refuses employment to or discharges employees because of a nondisabling physical condition, the department shall revoke the exemption of that employer.
102.31(6)
(6) The department has standing to appear as a complainant and present evidence in any administrative hearing or court proceeding instituted for alleged violation of
s. 628.34 (7).
102.31(7)
(7) If the department by one or more written orders specifically consents to the issuance of one or more contracts covering only the liability incurred on a construction project and if the construction project owner designates the insurance carrier and pays for each such contract, the construction project owner shall reimburse the department for all costs incurred by the department in issuing the written orders and in ensuring minimum confusion and maximum safety on the construction project. All moneys received under this subsection shall be deposited in the worker's compensation operations fund and credited to the appropriation account under
s. 20.445 (1) (rb).
102.31(8)
(8) The Wisconsin compensation rating bureau shall provide the department with any information that the department may request relating to worker's compensation insurance coverage, including the names of employers insured and any insured employer's address, business status, type and date of coverage, manual premium code, and policy information including numbers, cancellations, terminations, endorsements, and reinstatement dates. The department may enter into contracts with the Wisconsin compensation rating bureau to share the costs of data processing and other services. No information obtained by the department under this subsection may be made public by the department except as authorized by the Wisconsin compensation rating bureau.
102.31 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also ss.
DWD 80.61 and
80.65, Wis. adm. code.
102.31 Annotation
Sub. (1) (b) [now (1) (d)] does not apply to a joint venture, and insurance written in the name of one venturer is sufficient to cover his or her joint liability. Insurance Company of North America v. DILHR,
45 Wis. 2d 361,
173 N.W.2d 192 (1970).
102.32
102.32
Continuing liability; guarantee settlement, gross payment. In any case in which compensation payments have extended or will extend over 6 months or more from the date of the injury (or at any time in death benefit cases), any party in interest may, in the discretion of the department, be discharged from, or compelled to guarantee, future compensation payments as follows:
102.32(1)
(1) By depositing the present value of the total unpaid compensation upon a 7% interest discount basis with a credit union, savings bank, savings and loan association, bank or trust company designated by the department; or
102.32(2)
(2) By purchasing an annuity within the limitations provided by law, in such insurance company granting annuities and licensed in this state, as may be designated by the department; or
102.32(3)
(3) By making payment in gross upon a 7% interest discount basis to be approved by the department; and
102.32(4)
(4) In cases where the time for making payments or the amounts thereof cannot be definitely determined, by furnishing a bond, or other security, satisfactory to the department for the payment of compensation as may be due or become due. The acceptance of the bond, or other security, and the form and sufficiency thereof, shall be subject to the approval of the department. If the employer or insurer is unable or fails to immediately procure the bond, then, in lieu thereof, deposit shall be made with a credit union, savings bank, savings and loan association, bank or trust company designated by the department, of the maximum amount that may reasonably become payable in these cases, to be determined by the department at amounts consistent with the extent of the injuries and the law. The bonds and deposits are to be reduced only to satisfy claims and withdrawn only after the claims which they are to guarantee are fully satisfied or liquidated under
sub. (1),
(2) or
(3); and
102.32(5)
(5) Any insured employer may, within the discretion of the department, compel the insurer to discharge, or to guarantee payment of, the employer's liabilities in any case described in this section and thereby release the employer from compensation liability in that case, but if for any reason a bond furnished or deposit made under
sub. (4) does not fully protect, the compensation insurer or insured employer, as the case may be, shall still be liable to the beneficiary of the bond or deposit.
102.32(6)(a)(a) If compensation is due for permanent disability following an injury or if death benefits are payable, payments shall be made to the employee or dependent on a monthly basis as provided in
pars. (b) to
(e).
102.32(6)(b)
(b) Subject to
par. (d), if the employer or the employer's insurer concedes liability for an injury that results in permanent disability and if the extent of the permanent disability can be determined based on a minimum permanent disability rating promulgated by the department by rule, compensation for permanent disability shall begin within 30 days after the end of the employee's healing period or the date on which compensation for temporary disability ends due to the employee's return to work, whichever is earlier.
102.32(6)(c)
(c) Subject to
par. (d), if the employer or the employer's insurer concedes liability for an injury that results in permanent disability, but the extent of the permanent disability cannot be determined without a medical report that provides the basis for a minimum permanent disability rating, compensation for permanent disability shall begin within 30 days after the employer or the employer's insurer receives a medical report that provides a basis for a permanent disability rating.
102.32(6)(d)
(d) The department shall promulgate rules for determining when compensation for permanent disability shall begin in cases in which the employer or the employer's insurer concedes liability, but disputes the extent of permanent disability.
102.32(6)(e)
(e) Payments for permanent disability, including payments based on minimum permanent disability ratings promulgated by the department by rule, shall continue on a monthly basis and shall accrue and be payable between intermittent periods of temporary disability so long as the employer or insurer knows the nature of the permanent disability.
102.32(6m)
(6m) The department may direct an advance on a payment of unaccrued compensation for permanent disability or death benefits if the department determines that the advance payment is in the best interest of the injured employee or the employee's dependents. In directing the advance, the department shall give the employer or the employer's insurer an interest credit against its liability. The credit shall be computed at 7 percent. An injured employee or dependent may receive no more than 3 advance payments per calendar year.
102.32(7)
(7) No lump sum settlement shall be allowed in any case of permanent total disability upon an estimated life expectancy, except upon consent of all parties, after hearing and finding by the department that the interests of the injured employee will be conserved thereby.
102.32 Annotation
The interest credit under sub. (6) [now sub. (6m)] was properly calculated on a per annum basis rather than a one-time simple interest basis. Hamm v. LIRC,
223 Wis. 2d 183,
588 N.W.2d 358 (Ct. App. 1998),
98-0051.
102.33
102.33
Department forms and records; public access. 102.33(1)(1) The department shall print and furnish free to any employer or employee any blank forms that the department considers necessary to facilitate efficient administration of this chapter. The department shall keep any record books or records that the department considers necessary for the proper and efficient administration of this chapter.
102.33(2)(a)(a) Except as provided in
pars. (b) and
(c), the records of the department, and the records of the commission, related to the administration of this chapter are subject to inspection and copying under
s. 19.35 (1).
102.33(2)(b)
(b) Except as provided in this paragraph and
par. (d), a record maintained by the department or by the commission that reveals the identity of an employee who claims worker's compensation benefits, the nature of the employee's claimed injury, the employee's past or present medical condition, the extent of the employee's disability, or the amount, type, or duration of benefits paid to the employee and a record maintained by the department that reveals any financial information provided to the department by a self-insured employer or by an applicant for exemption under
s. 102.28 (2) (b) are confidential and not open to public inspection or copying under
s. 19.35 (1). The department or commission may deny a request made under
s. 19.35 (1) or, subject to
s. 102.17 (2m) and
(2s), refuse to honor a subpoena issued by an attorney of record in a civil or criminal action or special proceeding to inspect and copy a record that is confidential under this paragraph, unless one of the following applies:
102.33(2)(b)1.
1. The requester is the employee who is the subject of the record or an attorney or authorized agent of that employee. An attorney or authorized agent of an employee who is the subject of a record shall provide a written authorization for inspection and copying from the employee if requested by the department or the commission.
102.33(2)(b)2.
2. The record that is requested contains confidential information concerning a worker's compensation claim and the requester is an insurance carrier or employer that is a party to any worker's compensation claim involving the same employee or an attorney or authorized agent of that insurance carrier or employer, except that the department or the commission is not required to do a random search of its records and may require the requester to provide the approximate date of the injury and any other relevant information that would assist the department or the commission in finding the record requested. An attorney or authorized agent of an insurance carrier or employer that is a party to an employee's worker's compensation claim shall provide a written authorization for inspection and copying from the insurance carrier or employer if requested by the department or the commission.
102.33(2)(b)3.
3. The record that is requested contains financial information provided by a self-insured employer or by an applicant for exemption under
s. 102.28 (2) (b) and the requester is the self-insured employer or applicant for exemption or an attorney or authorized agent of the self-insured employer or applicant for exemption. An attorney or authorized agent of the self-insured employer or of the applicant for exemption shall provide a written authorization for inspection and copying from the self-insured employer or applicant for exemption if requested by the department.
102.33(2)(b)4.
4. A court of competent jurisdiction in this state orders the department or the commission to release the record.
102.33(2)(b)5.
5. The requester is the subunit of the department that administers child and spousal support or a county child support agency under
s. 59.53 (5), the request is made under
s. 49.22 (2m) and the request is limited to the name and address of the employee who is the subject of the record, the name and address of the employee's employer and any financial information about that employee contained in the record.
102.33(2)(b)6.
6. The department of revenue requests the record for the purpose of locating a person, or the assets of a person, who has failed to file tax returns, who has underreported taxable income or who is a delinquent taxpayer; identifying fraudulent tax returns; or providing information for tax-related prosecutions.
102.33(2)(c)
(c) A record maintained by the department or the commission that contains employer or insurer information obtained from the Wisconsin compensation rating bureau under
s. 102.31 (8) or
626.32 (1) (a) is confidential and not open to public inspection or copying under
s. 19.35 (1) unless the Wisconsin compensation rating bureau authorizes public inspection or copying of that information.
102.33(2)(d)1.a.
a. "Government unit" has the meaning given in
s. 108.02 (17) and also includes a corresponding unit in the government of another state or a unit of the federal government.
102.33(2)(d)1.c.
c. "Nonprofit research organization" means an organization that is exempt from federal income tax under section
501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code and whose mission is to engage in research.
102.33(2)(d)2.
2. The department or the commission may release information that is confidential under
par. (b) to a government unit, an institution of higher education, or a nonprofit research organization for purposes of research and may release information that is confidential under
par. (c) to those persons for that purpose if the Wisconsin compensation rating bureau authorizes that release. A government unit, institution of higher education, or nonprofit research organization may not permit inspection or disclosure of any information released to it under this subdivision that is confidential under
par. (b) unless the department or commission authorizes that inspection or disclosure and may not permit inspection or disclosure of any information released to it under this subdivision that is confidential under
par. (c) unless the department or commission, and the Wisconsin compensation rating bureau, authorize the inspection or disclosure. A government unit, institution of higher education, or nonprofit research organization that obtains any confidential information under this subdivision for purposes of research shall provide the results of that research free of charge to the person that released or authorized the release of that information.
102.35(1)(1) Every employer and every insurance company that fails to keep the records or to make the reports required by this chapter or that knowingly falsifies such records or makes false reports shall pay a work injury supplemental benefit surcharge to the state of not less than $10 nor more than $100 for each offense. The department may waive or reduce a surcharge imposed under this subsection if the employer or insurance company that violated this subsection requests a waiver or reduction of the surcharge within 45 days after the date on which notice of the surcharge is mailed to the employer or insurance company and shows that the violation was due to mistake or an absence of information. A surcharge imposed under this subsection is due within 90 days after the date on which notice of the surcharge is mailed to the employer or insurance company. Interest shall accrue on amounts that are not paid when due at the rate of 1 percent per month. All surcharges and interest payments received under this subsection shall be deposited in the fund established under
s. 102.65.
102.35(2)
(2) Any employer, or duly authorized agent thereof, who, without reasonable cause, refuses to rehire an employee injured in the course of employment, or who, because of a claim or attempt to claim compensation benefits from such employer, discriminates or threatens to discriminate against an employee as to the employee's employment, shall forfeit to the state not less than $50 nor more than $500 for each offense. No action under this subsection may be commenced except upon request of the department.
102.35(3)
(3) Any employer who without reasonable cause refuses to rehire an employee who is injured in the course of employment, where suitable employment is available within the employee's physical and mental limitations, upon order of the department and in addition to other benefits, has exclusive liability to pay to the employee the wages lost during the period of such refusal, not exceeding one year's wages. In determining the availability of suitable employment the continuance in business of the employer shall be considered and any written rules promulgated by the employer with respect to seniority or the provisions of any collective bargaining agreement with respect to seniority shall govern.
102.35 Annotation
An employer cannot satisfy sub. (3) by rehiring with an intent to fire at a later date. Dielectric Corporation v. LIRC,
111 Wis. 2d 270,
330 N.W.2d 606 (Ct. App. 1983).
102.35 Annotation
An employer has the burden to prove that rehiring was in good faith. West Allis School Dist. v. DILHR,
116 Wis. 2d 410,
342 N.W.2d 415 (1984).
102.35 Annotation
A one-day absence from work due to an injury triggered the rehire provision under sub. (3). Link Industries, Inc. v. LIRC,
141 Wis. 2d 551,
415 N.W.2d 574 (Ct. App. 1987).
102.35 Annotation
For liability under sub. (3), the employee must show that he or she: 1) was an employee; 2) sustained a compensable injury;. 3) applied for rehire; 4) had the application for rehire refused due to the injury. Universal Foods Corporation v. LIRC,
161 Wis. 2d 1,
467 N.W.2d 793 (Ct. App. 1991).
102.35 Annotation
Sub. (3) does not bar an employee from seeking arbitration under a collective bargaining agreement to determine whether termination following an injury violated the agreement. Sub. (3) relates to harm other than worker injuries and is not subject to the exclusive remedy provision of s. 102.03 (2); the "exclusive liability" language in sub. (3) does not bar lawsuits but imposes a penalty on the employer for refusal to hire. County of LaCrosse v. WERC,
182 Wis. 2d 15,
513 N.W.2d 708 (1994).
102.35 Annotation
A LIRC interpretation of sub. (3), that a violation requires an employee who is unable to return to a prior employment to express an interest in reemployment in a different capacity, was reasonable. Hill v. LIRC,
184 Wis. 2d 110,
516 N.W.2d 441 (Ct. App. 1994).
102.35 Annotation
If an employer shows that it refused to rehire an injured employee because the employee's position was eliminated to reduce costs and increase efficiency, reasonable cause has been shown under sub. (3). Ray Hutson Chevrolet, Inc. v. LIRC,
186 Wis. 2d 118,
519 N.W.2d 649 (Ct. App. 1994).
102.35 Annotation
An attendance policy that includes absences due to work-related injuries as part of the total of absences allowed before termination violates sub. (3). Great Northern Corp. v. LIRC,
189 Wis. 2d 313,
525 N.W.2d 361 (Ct. App. 1994).
102.35 Annotation
Neither sub. (2) nor case law authorizes employees who are terminated for filing worker's compensation claims to bring wrongful discharge claims against their employers. Brown v. Pick 'n Save Food Stores,
138 F. Supp. 2d 1133 (2001).
102.37
102.37
Employers' records. Every employer of 3 or more persons and every employer who is subject to this chapter shall keep a record of all accidents causing death or disability of any employee while performing services growing out of and incidental to the employment. This record shall give the name, address, age, and wages of the deceased or injured employee, the time and causes of the accident, the nature and extent of the injury, and any other information the department may require by rule or general order. Reports based upon this record shall be furnished to the department at such times and in such manner as the department may require by rule or general order, in a format approved by the department.
102.37 History
History: 1975 c. 147 s.
54;
1985 a. 83;
2001 a. 37.
102.38
102.38
Records and reports of payments. Every insurance company that transacts the business of compensation insurance, and every employer who is subject to this chapter, but whose liability is not insured, shall keep a record of all payments made under this chapter and of the time and manner of making the payments and shall furnish reports based upon these records and any other information to the department as the department may require by rule or general order, in a format approved by the department.
102.39
102.39
Rules and general orders; application of statutes. The provisions of
s. 103.005 relating to the adoption, publication, modification, and court review of rules or general orders of the department shall apply to all rules promulgated or general orders adopted under this chapter.
102.39 History
History: 1995 a. 27;
2001 a. 37.
