Law Review and Bar Journal References:

Case annotations (Nos. 60 and 61 below) discussed in a note, 6 K.L.R. 490 (1958).

Practices and procedures under the act, Edward Curry, 27 J.B.A.K. 367, 373 (1959).

Section does not affect one-year written claim period where employer did not file timely accident report, William F. Morrissey, 36 J.B.A.K. 173, 174 (1967).

"Workers' Compensation Review," Patrick Nichols, J.K.T.L.A. Vol. XV, No. 3, Review p. 3 (1992).

"Workers' Compensation Review," Patrick Nichols, J.K.T.L.A. Vol. XVIII, No. 3, Work. Comp. Review Section, 1 (1995).

"Workers' Compensation Review," Patrick Nichols, J.K.T.L.A. Vol. XVIII, No. 5, Work. Comp. Review Section, 1, 12 (1995).

"Worker's Compensation Review," Patrick Nichols, J.K.T.L.A. Vol. XVIII, No. 6, Work. Comp. Review Section, 1, 2 (1995).

"Workers Compensation Law: Constitutionality of the 1993 Kansas Workers Compensation Act," Nicole M. Zomberg, 37 W.L.J. 829 (1998).

"Claims Under the Kansas Workers Compensation Act for Injuries Resulting in Delayed Death," Timothy A. Short, J.K.T.L.A. Vol. 26, No. 5, 16 (2003).

"Workers Compensation Review," Jan L. Fisher, Editor, J.K.T.L.A. Vol. 28, No. 1, 19 (2004).

"Workers Compensation Review," Joseph Seiwert, Editor, J.K.T.L.A. Vol. 30, No. 1, 19 (2006).

"Workers Compensation Review," Joseph Seiwert, Editor, J.K.T.L.A. Vol. 30, No. 2, 18 (2006).

"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

STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION

—Last amendment governs (1-5)

1. Time limitations for asserting claim are procedural and remedial, not substantive; last amendment governs. Wilson v. Santa Fe Trail Transportation Co., 185 Kan. 725, 729, 737, 347 P.2d 235 (1959).

2. Section held procedural; amended section applicable; claim timely filed. Pinkston v. Rice Motor Co., 180 Kan. 295, 303, 304, 305, 306, 303 P.2d 197 (1956).

3. Notice provisions of 1939 amendment applied to claim for injury occurring before enactment last day for filing claim falling on Sunday, filing on following day good. Dodson v. Wilson & Co., Inc., 152 Kan. 820, 821, 822, 107 P.2d 676 (1940).

4. Claim provided, not required when rights had accrued at time of passage of act. Frary v. Roxana Petroleum Corp., 135 Kan. 216, 9 P.2d 652 (1932).

5. Procedural amendment applies to pending action. Frary v. Roxana Petroleum Corp., 132 Kan. 854, 855, 297 P. 668 (1931); overruled 135 Kan. 216, 9 P.2d 652 (1932).

—Procedural considerations (8-13)

8. Section thoroughly discussed, construed, and applied. Rubins v. Lozier-Broderick & Gordon, 160 Kan. 499, 500, 501, 502, 163 P.2d 364 (1945).

9. When claims filed with commission, forwarded to employer, notice good. Honn v. Elliott, 132 Kan. 454, 455, 295 P. 719 (1931).

10. Procedure for compensation must conform to the act. Murphy v. Continental Casualty Co., 134 Kan. 455, 457, 7 P.2d 84 (1932).

11. Discussed in holding claim set for hearing within time; rule 51-3-5 of commissioner (director) cited. Clark v. Tucker Electric Co., 185 Kan. 580, 584, 585, 345 P.2d 620 (1959).

12. Record disclosing claim not filed in time; commissioner cannot grant rehearing on question. Wlaz v. Missouri Pac. Rld. Co., 142 Kan. 164, 167, 45 P.2d 861 (1935).

13. Cited; case involving employer's failure to report accident. Odell v. Unified School District, 206 Kan. 752, 757, 481 P.2d 974 (1971).

—Limitations of section (15-18)

15. Limitation herein suspended by notice if employer fails to report accident as provided in K.S.A. 44-557; however, one-year limitation in K.S.A. 44-557 does apply. Ricker v. Yellow Transit Freight Lines, Inc., 191 Kan. 151, 153, 154, 155, 379 P.2d 279 (1963); Asp v. McPherson County Highway Dept., 192 Kan. 444, 451, 388 P.2d 652 (1964).

16. Death to be compensable must occur within the statutory period from date of injury. Brooks v. Kansas Power & Light Co., 182 Kan. 177, 179, 318 P.2d 1036 (1957).

17. Death from injury occurred more than three years after accident; action for compensation barred. Forcade v. List & Clark Construction Co., 172 Kan. 119, 121, 122, 123, 125, 238 P.2d 549 (1951).

18. Cited in holding three-year limitations statute inapplicable to proceedings. Cruse v. Chicago, R.I. & P. Rly. Co., 137 Kan. 117, 121, 23 P.2d 471 (1933).

SERVICE OF CLAIM

—Time limitation (20-29)

20. Whether a claim for compensation has been filed in time is primarily a question of fact.

(a) Fitzwater v. Boeing Airplane Co., 181 Kan. 158, 165, 309 P.2d 681 (1957);

(b) Kober v. Beech Aircraft Corporation, 177 Kan. 53, 55, 276 P.2d 335 (1954);

(c) Johnson v. Skelly Oil Co., 180 Kan. 275, 303 P.2d 172 (1956).

21. Claim filed within ninety days of last compensation check, although check not cashed, held good. Justice v. A.C. Flour Mills Co., 147 Kan. 402, 403, 76 P.2d 402 (1938).

22. Serving claim over 90 days after last medical aid held too late. La Fever v. Olson Drilling Co., 142 Kan. 431, 433, 49 P.2d 967 (1935).

23. Claim within 90 days of last payment for death sufficient. Pribbenow v. Meeker, 139 Kan. 325, 327, 31 P.2d 15 (1934).

24. Claim served within 90 days of medical aid is in time. Richardson v. National Refining Co., 136 Kan. 724, 725, 726, 18 P.2d 131 (1933).

25. Claim must be made within 90 days after payments suspended. Harrigan v. Western Coal & Min. Co., 133 Kan. 573, 577, 300 P. 1115 (1931).

26. Claim must be made within ninety days. Skinner v. Dunn Mercantile Co., 132 Kan. 559, 560, 296 P. 341 (1931).

27. Examiner made award and on appeal to director, he made finding that statute of limitation had run; district court adopted this finding; on appeal held that claim was served out of time; compensation denied. Asp. v. McPherson County Highway Dept., 192 Kan. 444, 388 P.2d 652 (1964).

28. Claim must be filed within one year from date of accident, even if employer has failed to file a report of accident with director; this section construed with K.S.A. 44-557. Asp v. McPherson County Highway Dept., 192 Kan. 444, 450, 451, 388 P.2d 652 (1964).

29. Effect of respondent's failure to report accident within seven days was to suspend time limitation herein. Magers v. Martin Marietta Corporation, 193 Kan. 137, 141, 142, 392 P.2d 148 (1964).

—Service by agent (30-32)

30. Injured workman need not personally serve claim; service by agent sufficient. Rubins v. Lozier-Broderick & Gordon, 160 Kan. 499, 500, 501, 502, 163 P.2d 364 (1945).

31. Workman's claim may be signed and filed by his attorney. Bull v. Patti Const. Co., 152 Kan. 618, 619, 620, 106 P.2d 690 (1940).

32. Rule for determining sufficiency of claim when not made by claimant stated. Flanagan v. Lux, 141 Kan. 88, 91, 40 P.2d 458 (1935).

—Service by mail (35-36)

35. Provision excludes other ways of delivering mail; presumption of delivery. Breedlove v. General Baking Co., 138 Kan. 143, 145, 23 P.2d 482 (1933).

36. Claim by unregistered letter sufficient if received and favorably acted upon. Webb v. Braden & McClure Drilling Co., 149 Kan. 818, 820, 89 P.2d 852 (1939).

—Who may be served (39-40)

39. What constitutes "duly authorized agent" discussed and determined. Rubins v. Lozier-Broderick & Gordon, 160 Kan. 499, 500, 501, 502, 163 P.2d 364 (1945).

40. Written statement to claim adjuster held insufficient demand. Baxter v. Chicago, R.I. & Rly. Co., 139 Kan. 443, 446, 32 P.2d 451 (1934).

TOLLING TIME LIMITATION

—Payment of compensation (45-48)

45. Voluntary informal payments found to extend time for filing claim. House v. Greer, 183 Kan. 691, 693, 331 P.2d 289 (1958).

46. Under facts wages paid following injury not "compensation payments"; claim barred. Pittman v. Glencliff Dairy Products Co., 154 Kan. 516, 517, 519, 119 P.2d 470 (1941).

47. Notice within 90 days after voluntary payments ceased is in time; weekly payments considered "compensation" not "wages." Rupp v. Jacobs, 149 Kan. 712, 713, 715, 88 P.2d 1102 (1939).

48. Time for filing claim not revived by voluntary payment of compensation. Graham v. Pomeroy, 143 Kan. 974, 57 P.2d 19 (1936).

—Furnishing medical (50-58)

50. Furnishing of medical treatment by employer or carrier is tantamount to payment of compensation; statutory period of 180 days begins to run from time last medical treatment furnished.

(a) Dexter v. Wilde Tool Co., 188 Kan. 816, 818, 365 P.2d 1092 (1961);

(b) Johnson v. Skelly Oil Co., 180 Kan. 275, 278, 283, 303 P.2d 172 (1956);

(c) Angleton v. Foster Wheeler Construction Co., 177 Kan. 134, 135, 276 P.2d 325 (1951);

(d) Moore v. Dolese Brothers Co., 171 Kan. 575, 580, 236 P.2d 55 (1951);

(e) Bishop v. Dolese Brothers Co., 155 Kan. 288, 291, 124 P.2d 446 (1942);

(f) Wolgamott v. Vinegar Hill Zinc Co., 151 Kan. 374, 376, 99 P.2d 758 (1940);

(g) Taylor v. Missouri Pac. Rld. Co., 146 Kan. 668, 670, 73 P.2d 62 (1937).

51. Light work held to constitute "treatment"; voluntary weekly payments held "compensation" not "wages." Rupp v. Jacobs, 149 Kan. 712, 715, 716, 88 P.2d 1102 (1939).

52. Prescription of light work alone does not toll running of claim statute. Fitzwater v. Boeing Airplane Co., 181 Kan. 158, 159, 164, 167, 168, 170, 309 P.2d 681 (1957).

53. Furnishing medical aid by parent employer is payment of compensation to son. Dressler v. Dressler, 167 Kan. 749, 751, 753, 208 P.2d 271 (1949).

54. Under facts medical advice held not treatment; statute not tolled. Kober v. Beech Aircraft Corporation, 177 Kan. 53, 54, 276 P.2d 335 (1954).

55. Medical examination to evaluate disability does not constitute medical treatment; limitation statute for filing claim not tolled. Thompson v. Swenson Construction Co., 158 Kan. 49, 50, 58, 145 P.2d 166 (1944).

56. Employee's procurement of own medical services not equivalent to compensation payment; statute not tolled. Solorio v. Wilson & Co., 161 Kan. 518, 519, 521, 523, 169 P.2d 822 (1946).

57. Voluntary payment of medical expense does not constitute admission of liability so as to bring employer within act. Madison v. Key Work Clothes, 182 Kan. 186, 195, 196, 318 P.2d 991 (1957).

58. Under facts of case, statute not tolled by alleged "advice, instructions and corrective exercises." Riedel v. Gage Plumbing & Heating Co., 202 Kan. 538, 539, 449 P.2d 521 (1969).

—Injury not discovered (60-63)

60. Injury not discovered for nine months; too late to make claim; cancer developed from blow to ribs; statute not tolled. Rutledge v. Sandlin, 181 Kan. 369, 370, 310 P.2d 950 (1957).

61. Claim not revived by furnishing of medical treatment after statutory period has expired. Rutledge v. Sandlin, 181 Kan. 369, 370, 310 P.2d 950 (1957).

62. Failure to discover nature of injury will not extend period. Fougnie v. Wilbert & Schreeb Coal Co., 130 Kan. 410, 414, 286 P. 396 (1930).

63. Ignorance of cause of injury is not incapacity excusing demand; waiver of demand must be made within time limit. Long v. Watts, 129 Kan. 489, 490, 492, 283 P. 654 (1930).

—Minors and incompetents (67-69)

67. Five-year-old dependent child is prima facie mentally incompetent to make claim. Brenn v. City of St. John, 149 Kan. 416, 417, 420, 87 P.2d 546 (1939).

68. Mentally competent minor; time for filing claim not extended by failure to appoint guardian. Johnson v. Snyder Chemical Co., 178 Kan. 580, 581, 290 P.2d 1010 (1955).

69. Statute not tolled on ground of minority under 1927 act. Williams v. Cities Service Gas Co., 151 Kan. 497, 499, 500, 99 P.2d 822 (1940).

FORM AND SUFFICIENCY OF CLAIM

—Question of fact (70-72)

70. Whether an instrument in writing propounded as a written claim actually constitutes a claim is governed by the intention of the parties; the court will look to the parties to determine what was in their minds in preparing and receiving the document. Fitzwater v. Boeing Airplane Co., 181 Kan. 158, 164, 165, 309 P.2d 681 (1957); Richardson v. National Refining Co., 136 Kan. 724, 18 P.2d 131 (1933).

71. District court finding demand sufficient upon competent evidence held conclusive on appeal. Brown v. Shellabarger Mill & Elev. Co., 142 Kan. 476, 487, 490, 50 P.2d 919 (1935).

72. Claim for compensation held insufficient. Klein v. McCullough, 135 Kan. 593, 595, 597, 11 P.2d 983 (1932).

—Letters to employer (75-77)

75. Two letters received by employer constituted claims because clearly shown that claimant had in mind collection of compensation in writing the letters. Fitzwater v. Boeing Airplane Co., 181 Kan. 158, 164, 309 P.2d 681 (1957); Eckl v. Sinclair Refining Co., 133 Kan. 285, 299 P. 588 (1931).

76. Formal claim not necessary; letter advising employer sufficient. Eckl v. Sinclair Refining Co., 133 Kan. 285, 299 P. 588 (1931).

77. Letter held sufficient demand for compensation. Williams v. Cities Service Gas Co., 139 Kan. 166, 170, 171, 30 P.2d 97 (1934).

—Statements and releases as claims (80-82)

80. Release signed by claimant did not constitute written claim, because claimant did not have in mind making a claim when he signed the instrument.

(a) Fitzwater v. Boeing Airplane Co., 181 Kan. 158, 164, 309 P.2d 681 (1957);

(b) Smith v. Sonken-Galamba, 149 Kan. 693, 694, 88 P.2d 1114 (1939).

81. Document considered and held "release" not "claim"; medical treatment furnished after 90-day period does not revive right to make claim. Smith v. Sonken-Galamba, 149 Kan. 693, 694, 88 P.2d 1114 (1939).

82. Signed statement did not constitute a written claim because no intention therein to make claim.

(a) Fitzwater v. Boeing Airplane Co., 181 Kan. 158, 164, 309 P.2d 681 (1957);

(b) Baxter v. Chicago, R.I. & P. Rly. Co., 139 Kan. 443, 32 P.2d 451 (1934).

—Need for second claim (85-87)

85. Claim filed for broken leg; bone grafts were taken from right hip; spurs developed in hip; further claim filed for left leg and hip; claims held sufficient in particularity and time. Duncan v. Davidson Construction Co., 170 Kan. 520, 523, 227 P.2d 95 (1951).

86. Claim made, payments started, second claim not required on cessation of payments. Tatham v. Clemens Coal Co., 141 Kan. 704, 706, 709, 42 P.2d 986 (1935).

87. Second claim not prerequisite to enforcement of judgment. Lenon v. Standard Oil Co., 134 Kan. 289, 291, 293, 5 P.2d 853 (1931).

—Time for filing (88)

88. Time for filing modified by K.S.A. 44-557 to maximum of one year. Asp v. McPherson County Highway Dept., 192 Kan. 444, 446, 447, 449, 450, 388 P.2d 652 (1964).

—Variance and lack of detail (90-93)

90. Claim not containing date of injury held sufficient; this section does not require date of accident to be stated. Taylor v. Armour & Co., 186 Kan. 51, 52, 53, 348 P.2d 632 (1960).

91. Proof of claim at variance with written claim; claim called back injury spondylolisthesis (congenital in character), but proof of traumatic condition; not prejudicial error; issues not narrowed by wording of claim. Place v. Falcon Seaboard Drilling Co., 186 Kan. 523, 528, 350 P.2d 788 (1960).

92. In compensation cases the issues are resolved at the commencement of the hearing by stipulations of the parties; at close of claimant's case, respondents may establish any defense they may have; the claim does not narrow the issues. Place v. Falcon Seaboard Drilling Co., 186 Kan. 523, 528, 350 P.2d 788 (1960).

93. Claim for compensation held insufficient and requirement for claim not waived. Suttle v. Marble Produce Co., 140 Kan. 13, 15, 34 P.2d 116 (1934).

LARGELY OUTDATED CASES (94)

94. Notice and claim sections were combined until 1927 amendments; cases largely outdated as to notice and claim points of law are listed.

(a) Hooper v. Wilson & Co., 111 Kan. 539, 540, 207 P. 757 (1922);

(b) Jacobs v. Coal Co., 105 Kan. 234, 235, 182 P. 410 (1919);

(c) Sillix v. Armour & Co., 99 Kan. 103, 107, 160 P. 1021 (1916); modified 99 Kan. 426, 162 P. 278 (1917);

(d) Smith v. Process Co., 100 Kan. 40, 41, 163 P. 645 (1917);

(e) Halverhout v. Milling Co., 97 Kan. 484, 486, 155 P. 916 (1916);

(f) Knoll v. City of Salina, 98 Kan. 428, 429, 430, 157 P. 1167 (1916);

(g) Ackerson v. Zinc Co., 96 Kan. 781, 782, 153 P. 530 (1915).

Cases after 1973

95. Written "application for hearing" found to evidence sufficient intent to constitute a claim for compensation notwithstanding printed disclaimer on form. Craig v. Electrolux Corporation, 212 Kan. 75, 80, 510 P.2d 138.

96. Claim need not take on any particular form; held sufficient where evidence showed parties had compensation in mind. Ours v. Lackey, 213 Kan. 72, 75, 77, 78, 81, 82, 515 P.2d 1071.

97. Where course of treatment once authorized, employer must notify workman coverage has ceased before claim time begins running. Blake v. Hutchinson Manufacturing Co., 213 Kan. 511, 516 P.2d 1008.

98. Whether claim timely filed fact question; negative finding upheld. Hackler v. Waid's Restaurant, 214 Kan. 532, 520 P.2d 1282.

99. Construction of section referred to in determining that K.S.A. 44-528 could not be applied retroactively. Eakes v. Hoffman-La Roche, Inc., 220 Kan. 565, 570, 552 P.2d 998.

100. Applied; claim not barred for lack of notice required by K.S.A. 44-520 where no determination employers prejudiced thereby. Pike v. Gas Service Co., 223 Kan. 408, 410, 573 P.2d 1055.

101. Mentioned; case involving time limits under K.S.A. 44-534 and 44-557. Childress v. Childress Painting Co., 3 Kan. App. 2d 135, 136, 590 P.2d 1093.

102. When report is not filed by employer within 28 days as required by K.S.A. 44-557, claimant must commence proceedings before director within one year of date of accident. Childress v. Painting Co., 226 Kan. 251, 254, 597 P.2d 637.

103. Claim timely filed; knowledge of accident by employer who fails to file report operates to extend time for filing to one year from accident. Morgan v. Inter-Collegiate Press, 4 Kan. App. 2d 319, 320, 606 P.2d 479.

104. Cited in holding administrative decision finding accidental injury where occupational disease claimed supported by substantial competent evidence. Bahr v. Iowa Beef Processors, Inc., 8 Kan. App. 2d 627, 632, 633, 663 P.2d 1144 (1983).

105. Where employer brings money suit, worker cannot claim offsets alleged due under act when provisions not utilized. Bethany Medical Center v. Knox, 10 Kan. App. 2d 192, 194, 196, 694 P.2d 1331 (1985).

106. Whether a written claim was timely filed is primarily an issue of fact. Wietharn v. Safeway Stores, Inc., 16 Kan. App. 2d 188, 194, 820 P.2d 719 (1991).

107. Limitations do not apply until the death of the employee is ascertained or is reasonably ascertainable where death occurs arising out of and in the course of employment. Angleton v. Starkan, Inc., 250 Kan. 711, 720, 828 P.2d 933 (1992).

108. No error in workers compensation board holding that worker's claim was untimely filed. Lawrence v. Cobler, 22 Kan. App. 2d 291, 292, 915 P.2d 157 (1996).

109. Employer is required to disabuse employee of belief that treatment is authorized to use 200-day workers compensation statute of limitations. Shields v. J.E. Dunn Constr. Co., 24 Kan. App. 2d 382, 384, 946 P.2d 94 (1997).

110. Workers compensation board dismissal of insurer appeal on policy coverage issue upheld; term "certain defenses" construed. Carpenter v. National Filter Service, 26 Kan. App. 2d 672, 675, 994 P.2d 641 (1999).

111. Back injury which occurred during treatment for claimant's primary injury was a natural and probable result of primary injury. Frazier v. Mid-West Painting, Inc., 268 Kan. 353, 355, 995 P.2d 855 (2000).